Jim Irsay, longtime owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, died at the age of 65. Irsay has owned the Colts since 1997. Under his leadership, the region’s team achieved one of its most prosperous periods, culminating with a Super Bowl title in 2007. His passing represents a profound loss in the history of the NFL and for the city of Indianapolis.
Irsay’s health had been failing as he battled a life-threatening respiratory disease. Having gone through rehabilitation himself at least 15 times, he had fought his own demons as well as the stigma that often surrounds them. His father’s long history of alcoholism compounded addiction’s struggle for him. Irsay publicly acknowledged this legacy and was clearly trying to escape it.
Under Irsay’s leadership, the Colts continued to thrive under his auspices, establishing one of the most powerful franchises in the NFL. Upon his father, Bob Irsay’s death, he assumed sole ownership of the franchise. Bob’s ownership of the team stretches back to 1972, and he served as Chairman Emeritus after transferring ownership. Jim Irsay’s tenure was marked by strategic innovations. He was part of a group appointed by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle in the 1980s that designed the league’s salary cap.
Beyond that, Irsay was famous even outside his executive role for his wild, diverse collection of memorabilia. Over two decades, he invested tens of millions of dollars in acquiring more than 500 unique items, including Muhammad Ali’s championship belt from the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle.” This passion for collecting illustrated Irsay’s deep belief in history and culture that connected the worlds of sports and art.
Irsay was a major force outside of just the sports world, as he used his wealth and influence to advocate for mental health awareness and addiction’s dangers. His efforts were instrumental in Alive and Well Communities’ “Kicking the Stigma” fundraising campaign. His intent was to address the controversy that often surrounds these vital issues. His own experiences in addiction recovery inspired his life’s work of helping others. He often draws on his own story to help make inspiring, transformational change stick.
“Those 12 steps have literally saved hundreds of thousands or millions of lives.” – Jim Irsay
Irsay was introspective about his family history of addiction and mental health ailments. He shared insights from his life that resonated with many, stating, “Because of those 12 steps, I’ve been able to bridge the dam of generations and say, ‘Stop! No more!’ These families won’t be broken apart and destroyed by all the strife that goes on.” His deep and emotional commitment to this cause was premised on his wish to create a loving, supportive community.
In Irsay’s time as an owner, he built lasting relationships with players and fans throughout the league. He was very close with former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who released a statement of his own mourning Irsay’s passing. Manning spoke about their connection on the air, saying, “It’s unfortunate, it’s not what either of us wanted. Those are the perfect words to describe the tremendous influence that Irsay had on every player – both for and against his team.
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