In May, Jim Irsay, the longtime owner of the Indianapolis Colts, died suddenly at the age of 65. The news was shocking, and tributes from Colts nation quickly came pouring in. Irsay became the owner of the team since 1997 after his father, Robert Irsay, died, winning a legal battle with his stepmother over the ownership of the team. When he became the owner, he was the youngest owner in the league at the time. And under his leadership, the Colts saw their most successful stretch in franchise history, largely thanks to the addition of legendary players like Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Dwight Freeney, Reggie Wayne, Adam Vinatieri, and more.
Irsay's legacy will undoubtedly remain strong through the sports community as a whole, particularly in Indianapolis, but his loss obviously affected the Colts more than anyone else. The team has already dedicated the upcoming season to him, announced that he will be added to the Colts Ring of Honor, and designed special patches in his memory that the players will wear all season.
In a recent interview, Zaire Franklin discussed Irsay, and how it has affected the team, giving them even more motivation to win.
.@Colts LB Zaire Franklin discussed how this is one of the hungriest locker rooms they have had and the QB competition in Indianapolis.
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) June 26, 2025
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“I would really just say we’re a team with a purpose,” he said. “With the passing of Jim Irsay, a great man who’s done not only so much for the city, but the state of Indiana, this season, and just honoring his legacy and continuing to bring his dream to fruition, is definitely extreme motivation. It’s one of those things that gets everybody on the same page where everybody is fighting and pulling in the same direction, for the same purpose.”
And while last season was one many Colts fans would still rather forget, the fact is, Indianapolis finished 9-8; for Franklin that's not far from making the playoffs, and they want to get there for Irsay. "This is definitely one of the most hungry locker rooms that we've had," he said. "And usually when you've got a locker room full of hungry, talented guys, that usually produces wins."
It'a sentiment echoed by head coach Shane Steichen, who gave an emotional statement about Irsay's passing. Fighting back tears, he offered prayers for the Irsay family... and made a promise.
"A lot of you guys know Mr. Irsay really well. I've covered this team for a long time and I was with him for two years. Phenomenal human being. You guys know how generous he was," he said, and added, "We're going to win for Jim this year."