Jim Irsay, the longtime owner of the Indianapolis Colts, died today at the age of 65. He bequeaths a legacy that completely transformed the team and helped turn the city into one of the hottest football destinations in America. Under Irsay’s leadership, the Colts evolved from a struggling franchise in the 1990s into Super Bowl champions, revitalizing Indianapolis’s reputation as a football town.
Irsay’s reign began in 1997, a chaotic time when the Colts were investigating a move. The Colts had long threatened to leave, mainly over bitterly argued stadium lease deals with Indianapolis. Still, Irsay was resolute on a promise to prevent his new home field from leaving the city as well — and to improve the franchise’s prospects.
In pursuit of this success, Irsay hired Bill Polian. Polian is an experienced executive who is well known for revitalizing the Buffalo Bills and founding the Carolina Panthers. Polian turned the Colts’ roster around, drafting starters such as Edgerrin James. He followed that up by ensuring star receiver Marvin Harrison re-signed.
For a long-suffering fan base in the 1990s, those struggles went beyond simple performance woes for the Colts. Consequently, fan support evaporated, forcing their games to be blacked out on television. When you look at the history of the franchise, it started really when Peyton Manning came in 1998. He remembered that when he came, “Indiana basketball, [auto] racing, the Indy 500 — that was it.” In his time on the campaign trail, Manning took note of how football was still especially regarded as an ancillary sport in the area.
Then, because of Irsay’s complete commitment to winning at all costs, the story turned in a big way. As touched upon by Manning, Irsay’s commitment brought the glory days back to Indianapolis.
“He goes out and hires Bill Polian… and next thing you know, the Colts all of a sudden, ‘Hey, the Colts are for real,’” – Peyton Manning.
Under Irsay’s leadership, the Colts went from being a mediocre team to winning the Super Bowl. Perhaps even more perceptively, the Colts became better connected within their community. In short order, high school football became the rage across Indianapolis, and fans started wearing new Colts jerseys with hope and enthusiasm to games. Manning underscored the power of Irsay’s singular pursuit of delivering a winner to his city was truly moving.
“Right before your eyes, Indianapolis became the biggest football town… And that was [because of] Jim’s commitment,” – Peyton Manning.
The crowning achievement of Irsay’s grassroots turnaround came during the 2006 season when the Colts won Super Bowl XLI. This victory was a watershed moment for Indianapolis, cementing the city’s reputation as an expert host of major sporting events. To cap some of those many sports accomplishments off, in February 2012, Indianapolis even hosted its first Super Bowl, solidifying the city’s status as a top-tier sports town.
Two years after their own triumphant Super Bowl victory, the Colts were celebrating their own new home — Lucas Oil Stadium. This venue represented a change in direction and signaled an energizing new time for the organization and its followers.
Beyond his role in shaping the franchise, Irsay really showed his dedication to his players by doing right by them. He dedicated a statue in Peyton Manning’s name and inducted him into the Colts’ Ring of Honor—gestures that highlighted his appreciation for those who contributed to the team’s success.
At the time, Manning reflected on Irsay’s legacy. Most importantly, he told them that Irsay loved his community and his family while loving the Colts in a way that truly mattered.
“He cared about his community, he cared about his family, but he loved the Colts,” – Peyton Manning.
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