Legendary Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who has spent the last quarter century as one of the most influential figures in the NFL, has died at the age of 65.
Irsay took over ownership of the Colts back in 1997 but had been involved with the franchise long before that. He took over day-to-day management of the franchise when his father, Robert Irsay, suffered a stroke in 1995 and two years later own a legal battle to retain ownership of the team.
He became the youngest owner in NFL history when that happened, and the Colts rocketed to the best stretch the franchise had seen since it moved to Indianapolis not long after. Peyton Manning came to town in 1998 and the Colts were a mainstay atop the AFC and served as one of the most iconic franchises in the league for almost all of Irsay's ownership.
It's a legacy that was solidified long ago and it's one that will live on now that he's gone. The Colts said as much in a touching tribute the team released while announcing the death of the NFL icon.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 21, 2025
Irsay was a rockstar in every sense of the term. He was a maverick owner who lived fast and ran his football team even harder. He was responsible for bringing sprots glory back to the Indy area at a time when the tail-end of the Reggie Miller Pacers run left a bit of a void in the heart of fans.
The Colts filled that, winning a Super Bowl in 2006 and nearly earning another Lombardi Trophy a few years later. Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and Edgerrin James are among the franchise icons who earned their way into the Hall of Fame playing for Irsay and the Colts, and the memories fans have from that era of the team remain herilooms that will be passed down for generations.
Irsay's passing marks the end of an era not only for the Colts but the the entire region. He meant more to folks than he ever got credit for when he was alive -- and he got plenty of it then which goes to show just how special he was.
He'll go down as one of the greatest figures in NFL history, as he leaves behind a legacy that will rank among the very best.