Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday at age 65, ending a remarkable journey from ball boy to NFL owner. Irsay transformed the Colts from an also-ran into perennial contenders, won a Super Bowl, and built a world-class music and literary collection—all while battling serious health and addiction issues.
From Ball Boy to Team Owner: Irsay’s Football Life
Irsay’s life revolved around football. As a boy, he tossed footballs for legends Johnny Unitas and Bert Jones. He learned the business from icons like Al Davis and Wellington Mara during the 1982 players’ strike and salary-cap talks. When his father, Robert Irsay, died in 1997, Jim inherited a struggling franchise.
With Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian, coach Tony Dungy, and quarterback Peyton Manning, Irsay:
- Rescued the team from NFL obscurity and turned it into a title contender.
- Captured Super Bowl XLI in the 2006 season.
- Secured a new retractable-roof stadium in 2008, enabling Indianapolis to host Super Bowl XLVI.
Peyton Manning, who thrived under Irsay’s ownership, paid tribute:
“He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner… His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched.”
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Health Battles and Resilience
In December 2023, Irsay fell at home and was found unresponsive with a bluish skin tone. He was diagnosed with a serious respiratory illness and underwent two surgeries. By training camp last summer, he was rehabbing a weak left leg but remained determined to greet fans and lead his team. Despite these setbacks, he missed neither the NFL Draft press conference—his usual perch—nor the chance to inspire his players.
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Off-Field Passions: Music, Literature, and Artifacts
Irsay amassed what many call the greatest guitar collection on Earth. He owned instruments from Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince, and even played them often. Beyond guitars, his collection included:
- Original manuscripts of On the Road by Jack Kerouac and AA’s Big Book.
- Jackie Robinson’s 1953 bat and Muhammad Ali’s 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” belt.
- Presidential documents and rare Civil War artifacts like John Wilkes Booth’s wanted poster.
- Secretariat’s saddle from the Triple Crown wins.
He also befriended rock legends, drew inspiration from Bob Dylan lyrics, and cherished the gonzo journalism of Hunter S. Thompson. “You can play guitars,” he said in 2016. “They become four-dimensional.”
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Family, Addictions, and Personal Struggles
Irsay was open about his battles with alcoholism and painkiller addiction. He entered rehab at least 15 times and once overdosed accidentally. His darkest public moment came in March 2014, when Carmel, Indiana, police arrested him for erratic driving. Officers found $30,000 in cash and prescription bottles. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DUI and was suspended six games by Commissioner Roger Goodell and fined $500,000.
Pete Ward, Irsay’s right-hand man, reflected on his final rest:
“Jim’s dedication to the Colts, his community generosity, and his love for family were unsurpassed.”
He leaves behind four daughters—Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson—and a grieving Colts community.
Bold Moves and Lasting Legacy
Irsay’s tenure featured hard choices:
- In 2000, he kept the franchise during a contentious 55% inheritance tax threat by raising private funds.
- When Peyton Manning’s neck injury sidelined him in 2011, Irsay made the difficult call to draft Andrew Luck, echoing his father’s move with Johnny Unitas.
- He fought to keep top talent in free agency, often paying premium contracts.
Despite criticism for a high-octane offense, his teams won 115 regular-season games in a decade—a Colts record. His mantra, as expressed by GM Chris Ballard, was simple: “He hates to lose more than he likes to win.”
Colts’ Next Chapter Begins
With Irsay gone, the Colts face a new era. His leadership, wisdom, and vision guided the team through its most successful quarter-century. Chuck Pagano, coach during the Super Bowl run, captured his impact:
“He’s a football man through and through. It runs in his veins.”
As the Colts prepare for future seasons, Indianapolis remembers Jim Irsay not only as a bold owner but also as a cultural icon whose influence extended far beyond football.
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