NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
LongTime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has died at the age of 65, the team announced on Wednesday.
Irsay’s father bought the team in 1972 when they were still playing in Baltimore, for $ 12 million and moving the team in 1984.
Irsay was the general manager of the team from 1982 to 1996 and became the youngest owner of the NFL at the age of 37, shortly after his father’s death in 1997.
CLICK HERE for more sports cover at Foxnews.com
Jim Irsay participates in the 15th annual Hope Luncheon Seminar, who honor Michael Phelps at Plaza November 10, 2021, in New York City. (Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Irsay had several health problems over the years and fought for drug and alcohol addiction when he first admitted he had been in rehabilitation “at least 15 times.”
Colts announced in January 2024 that Irsay was treated for a “serious respiratory disease.” That February he posted on X, former Twitter that he was “On repair.”
“It’s a long way and you have to be patient. The big news is that everything is going well,” an inpatient IRSAY in the hospital said that March After he reviewed a procedure on his right leg.
Irsay said at the time he had undergone “26 operations in the last seven years.”
Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay speaks during a ceremony honored former player Tarik Glenn during the break of a game between Washington commanders and Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium 30 October 2022, in Indianapolis. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
In December 2023, the police were called to Irsays home around 2 p.m. 04:30 and found him in bed not responding and cold under what the authorities called a “suspected overdose.”
“It wasn’t an overdose,” Irsay said Fox 59 in Indianapolis.
“I don’t know why, when you have your name in the paper in the past, people quickly throw it out there. I’m not aware of it so much, but I don’t think it’s fair.”
Irsay was arrested in 2014 and pleaded guilty to the operation while drunk (OWI), which led to a six-game pension and a fine of $ 500,000 from the NFL. He said that his arrest was partly due to being a white billionaire.
Irsay took ownership of the Colts in 1995 after a legal battle after his father’s death. Since then, Colts had massive success with Peyton Manning as their quarterback, but they have been in Flux since Manning left the team and Andrew Luck suddenly withdrew.
During his tenure, which runs the daily operation of the organization, Irsay won 258 matches, the fourth most in the NFL in that time. He also won 10 division titles, went 1-1 in the Super Bowls and played playoffs 18 times.
Indianapolis Colts -Owner Jim Irsay talks to the fans during Dwight Freeney induction to Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium November 10, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
He is survived by three daughters and 10 grandchildren. He and his ex -wife were divorced in 2013.
