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The sports world was shaken by the death of the legendary Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay on Wednesday.
The news was particularly hard for many of Irsays former Colts players, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
Manning, who played his first 13 seasons for Colts and helped them win the Super Bowl in the 2006 season, shared his respect for Irsay in an Instagram post on Wednesday night.
“I am the heart bridge to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing away. He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner, and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL. His love for the Colts and the town of Indy was unmatched. In peace, “Many and many are with his family and all families wrote.
Many of Manning’s old Indianapolis teammates also expressed their condolences.
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Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning, No. 10, shouts on the line with scrimmage during an AFC Wild Card game in the NFL Football Playoffs against the New York Jets in Indianapolis. (AP)
Former Colts Punter and the current ESPN host Pat McAfee shared a long story in an X post on Wednesday, in which he detailed his experience with Irsay through the Punter’s career.
“The 1st Time He and I Really Had An Extended Convo Was at Training Camp After The Lockout In 2011 .. Players and Front Office Weren’t Allowed to Communicate With Each Other Duing The Lockout But, Jim Followed Me On Twitter Throughout The CBA Negotiations, His FIRST DAY AT TRAINING CAMP CAMP CAMP, Lockout Ended, he drove his golf cart over two where i was and started firing off question about twitter .. He enjoyed the thought of being able to connect with colts fans all over the world, “McAfee wrote.
McAfee even credited Irsay to help the punter succeed in his career after the NFL.
“When I decided to retire .. He and I had a 2.5 hour conversation in his office. He was sitting at his desk .. hit S — Out of his Vape .. And we talked about everything I was hoping to go. He tried to stop me for a few minutes. Business and maintained authenticity, “MCEF,” MC, “MCAFE added.
“Jim has done everything he can to help me succeed .. He would attend our show at any time I asked, no matter where he was in the world .. He would send me motivating messages when he heard that I was going through something .. He would forward articles that he would come across that he thought I should read.”
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Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, speaks to the fans at Reggie Wayne’s induction in Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The legendary NFL kicker Adam Viniatieri expressed his condolance with Irsay in an X post. Viniatieri cemented his legacy by helping New England Patriots win three Super Bowls from 2001-2005, and often beat Colts on the way there. However, when Irsay’s team signed the Kicker in 2006, it helped immidely to change the wealth of both teams as Viniatieri kicked the game-winning field goal against Patriots in the year’s AFC championship game to send Colts to the Super Bowl.
“I’m the heart bridge to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing away. He was more than just an owner he, as a man of the people and his generosity, was unmatched. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have played under his leadership and his influence on my life. Rest in peace, Jim,” Viniatieri wrote.
Former Colts Star Wide recipient Ty Hilton, who played for IRSAY’s team from 2012-2021, where he made four Pro Bowls, shared his love for Irsay in a post on X on Wednesday night.
“Don’t ask me if I’m doing well. Cuz I’m not. Thanks sooo much Mr.irsay. I will forever keep our conversations close to my heart. Love you! Rip Mr.irsay,” Hilton wrote.
Several other current and former pro athletes also paid the owner on social media, including Robert Griffin III and the son of the former legendary Colts Wide, Marvin Harrison, Marvin Harrison Jr.
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 General Manager for the team from 1982 to 1996 and became the NFL’s youngest owner at the age of 37, shortly after his father’s death in 1997.
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 at X that he was “On repair.”
Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning, #18, Left, and owner Jim Irsay wins after beating the New York Jets at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on January 24, 2010. (Al Tielemans /Sports Illustrated /Getty Images)
“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.”
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.
He is survived by three daughters and 10 grandchildren. He and his ex -wife were divorced in 2013.
