Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday at the age of 65, as announced by the team.
The exact cause of death has not been disclosed. Irsay has faced various health challenges in recent years.
According to the Indianapolis Star, his first public appearance since the previous season was during the Indianapolis Colts’ training camp last summer, where he mentioned that he was recovering from multiple surgeries after a fall at home.
Irsay was just 13 when his father, Robert, acquired the Baltimore Colts in 1972. After the team relocated to Indianapolis in 1984, young Irsay was appointed as vice president and general manager, eventually becoming the chief operating officer in 1996.
Following his father’s death in 1997, Irsay took charge of the family business as the team’s owner and CEO. His ownership coincided with the arrival of quarterback Peyton Manning, who led the Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2007.
The Colts released a statement noting, “Jim’s passion for the NFL, along with his admiration for its history, traditions, and values, propelled him to be a guardian of the game throughout his more than 50 years in the league.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his sadness in a statement.
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“He dedicated his life to and worked within the National Football League,” Goodell noted. “Beginning his journey as a Colts ball boy during his teenage years, he gained insights into every role in the organization before rising to lead the Colts nearly three decades ago. Jim’s franchise secured one Super Bowl title, hosted another, and established Lucas Oil Stadium.”
In addition to his football legacy, Irsay was recognized for his extensive collection of pop culture, historical, and musical memorabilia, which included guitars once played by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Prince; a first edition of Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”; and artifacts linked to various presidents.
He was also open about his struggles with addiction. In 2023, he shared with HBO’s “Real Sports” that he had been in rehab more than 15 times and had experienced a near-fatal overdose.
Irsay is survived by his daughters: Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson.
