Jim Irsay, longtime Indianapolis Colts owner, dies at 65

CNN —

Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay has died at the age of 65, the team announced on Wednesday.

The Colts said Irsay died “peacefully in his sleep” on Wednesday afternoon. No cause of death was given.

“Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed,” the team said in a statement.

Irsay was one of the league’s most high-profile owners and was remembered as a fierce advocate for Indiana’s capital city. He frequently spoke with reporters and was heavily involved in the Colts’ football operations, making him one of the most visible figures in the NFL during his decades in charge of the franchise.

Before becoming the owner of the franchise, Irsay was named general manager at 24 years old, the youngest in team history to ever hold that job, according to the Colts.

In 1995, he took a more prominent role within the team before becoming the sole owner in December 1997, after the death of his father, Robert Irsay.

During his time with the organization, the Colts won 10 division championships, made two Super Bowl appearances and oversaw the team winning their fourth title in 2006, when Indianapolis defeated the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

“Jim will be deeply missed by his family, the Colts organization, and fans everywhere, but we remain inspired by his caring and unique spirit,” the team added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Irsay tweeted his support for the Indiana Pacers ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks.

“Go PACERS. Good luck to Herb, the entire @Pacers organization, and our city!,” Irsay wrote.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called Irsay a “friend” and a “man deeply committed to his family, the game, the Colts, and the Indianapolis community.”

“He led with integrity, passion and care for the Colts’ players, coaches and staff, and his courageous work in support of mental health will be a lasting legacy. Outside of football, he was a talented musician and built an extraordinary collection of historical and musical artifacts that he shared with people across the country,” Goodell added.

“On behalf of the entire NFL, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Jim’s daughters and their families, and to his many friends throughout the NFL.”

Irsay previously struggled with addiction issues; in an interview with Real Sports on HBO, Irsay said he had been to rehab at least 15 times and had previously overdosed after mixing multiple drugs at the same time. He was arrested in 2014 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and prescription pills were found in his possession.

In December 2023, Irsay was found unresponsive and cold to the touch in what a police report described as an overdose. The Colts later responded to the report in a statement, saying Irsay “continues to recover from his respiratory illness.” Irsay always denied that the incident was an overdose.

Irsay was an advocate for those dealing with addiction issues and often spoke about getting rid of the stigma around addiction issues. In 2018, he purchase the founding document of Alcoholics Anonymous with plans to make it available to the public, according to the Associated Press.

Irsay was a collector of historical items, including the original scroll manuscript of Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road,” which was written on to eight sheets of paper that had been taped together to allow the Beat writer to write continuously on his typewriter.

The Irsay Collection also consisted of hundreds of musical instruments owned by famous musicians, the boots Muhammad Ali wore during his famous “Thrilla in Manila” fight against Joe Frazier, the volleyball Wilson from the movie “Castaway” and letters from Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

The eclectic Colts owner also played in his eponymous band, often playing at events showcasing items from his collection.

Former Colts quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning said he was “heartbroken” to hear about Irsay’s passing.

“He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL,” Manning wrote. “His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, rest in peace my friend, #18.”

The Colts are scheduled to open up the 2025 NFL regular season at home against the Miami Dolphins on September 7.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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