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The Colts’ 6 biggest moments with Jim Irsay

By Ryan Stano

Jim Irsay the owner of the Indaianpolis Colts speaks to the fans at Reggie Wayne's induction to the Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Jim Irsay the owner of the Indaianpolis Colts speaks to the fans at Reggie Wayne's induction to the Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 4: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts watches the action in the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 4, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 4: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts watches the action in the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 4, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Peyton Manning was the best quarterback this franchise has ever known. But 2010 was the last season he played for the Colts while actually being out on the field. The 2011 season was the biggest change the franchise had seen in some time.

Manning had offseason neck surgery in 2011 to relieve some nerve pain he was feeling that was affecting his throwing arm. He was expected to be ready for the start of the season. No one seemed concerned, as it was announced he would be back for the start of the year.

But then opening day rolled around, and he wasn’t there. The Colts had to call Kerry Collins out of retirement to take over the starting duties while Manning healed. Manning was then expected to miss the first four games of the season. But he never came back.

What happened next was a turntable of quarterbacks. Collins got hurt, so then it was Curtis Painter who got starts. Then Collins came back and got hurt again. All-in-all, it led the Colts to the worst record in the league, and the number one pick.

That led to some extremely tough decisions. The Colts owed Manning $28 million if he was on the roster the following seasons. Doctors didn’t know how his neck would hold up for the rest of his career. To top that off, there was a once-in-a-generation prospect sitting there to be taken in the draft.

Ultimately, it all led to a tearful press conference in which Irsay proclaimed to the world that they were releasing Manning and he would be a free agent for the first time. Manning gave the city of Indianapolis a tearful good-bye and a heartfelt thank you.

This wasn’t the only transition that happened during this season, and that leads us to our next moment.

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