The Colts have been nominated for a major award, and Jim Irsay would be proud

Jim Irsay, the late owner of the Indianapolis Colts, was known for his generosity and commitment to mental health awareness and advocacy. He created the Kicking The Stigma foundation to help improve mental health awareness and treatment in 2020, and after his sudden death, there were over $225,000 in donations made in his honor. To put it simply, there is much for Irsay to be remembered for, including his contributions to the Indianapolis sports community, but his mental health advocacy will continue to make a difference long after Irsay is gone.

So the award the Colts were just nominated for would undoubtedly make him proud. In a press release, ESPN announced that Indianapolis is a finalist for the 11th annual Sports Humanitarian Awards, which takes place as part of ESPYs Week. Specifically, the Colts have been named finalists for Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, with each team chosen for demonstrating "how teamwork can create a measurable impact on a community or cause."

And, of course, Kicking the Stigma is what set the Colts apart.

"Through their groundbreaking initiative, Kicking the Stigma, the Indianapolis Colts have committed more than $31 million to raise awareness about mental health disorders and expand access to treatment across Indiana and beyond. The Colts are the first major sports franchise to launch a sweeping initiative to raise awareness around mental health disorders and fight the stigmas often associated with mental health. Launched in 2020, Kicking the Stigma is a deeply personal mission for the Irsay family, who have combined philanthropy with storytelling to spark national conversations and raise funds to support projects and organizations working to improve mental health. To date, the Colts have awarded more than $6.4 million in grants to over 60 organizations, including NAMI Greater Indianapolis and Bring Change to Mind. The Colts also helped establish the Irsay Institute at Indiana University — a national research center focused on mental health stigma. The Colts also have funded anti-stigma training, mental health first aid, a major university institute to study and battle stigma, national PSAs, and efforts to educate fans. The team also has an intentional focus on reaching underserved populations to ensure they have access to important resources and helping train and develop more mental health professionals."

The announcement was celebrated on social media, with Kicking the Stigma applauded for the difference the foundation makes - in Indiana, and beyond.

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