Indianapolis Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay Dies at 65: A Quiet Goodbye to a Big Figure

The NFL didn’t just lose a team owner today it lost someone who bled the game. Jim Irsay, the man who lived and breathed Indianapolis Colts football, passed away at 65. And honestly? It stings. The kind of news that just stops you in your tracks. Jim wasn’t some distant billionaire in a skybox. He was right there, among us laughing, struggling, showing up. He felt real.

Jim was born into football. His father, Robert Irsay, bought the Colts back in the 1970s. From that moment, it wasn’t just a team it was part of the family. Jim grew up around the locker rooms, the players, the grit. When he stepped in to lead in the late '90s, it wasn’t some corporate transition. It was personal. It was emotional. It was legacy in motion.

Remembering Jim Irsay and What He Meant to the Colts

Under Jim, the Colts weren’t just competitive they were electric. Think back to those years with Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney. It wasn’t just about smart draft picks it was about trusting instincts, believing in people, and taking chances others wouldn’t. He hired Tony Dungy when the league said no. He drafted Andrew Luck when everyone doubted. He stood by his guys.

But beyond the big plays and big names, what made Jim stand out was how he let people see all of him. Not just the polished CEO but the man battling addiction, facing demons, and choosing to talk about it. Publicly. Bravely. He never played the victim, but he never faked perfection either. In a world of polished PR statements, Jim spoke from the gut. And that made him matter even more.

Yeah, he had messy moments. Headlines that weren’t always pretty. But he never ran from them. He owned his past, tried to be better, and kept showing up. That kind of honesty is rare especially in someone with power.

And then there was his love for music. If you knew Jim or just followed him on Twitter you knew about the guitars. The vinyl. The rare collectibles that made you go, wait, he owns THAT? He wasn’t pretending to be cool he was genuinely geeking out over the stuff he loved. Sharing his playlists. Posting song lyrics. Giving away concert tickets. He was like your uncle with the best record collection  and he loved to show it off.

He also poured his heart into Indianapolis. Not just the Colts but the city. The community. From mental health programs to local charities, he gave his time and money because he cared. Like, really cared. If you lived in Indy, you felt it.

This loss... it’s heavy. Fans are grieving. Players are reflecting. The organization is stunned. And honestly, the league feels a little colder today. There will be patches. Speeches. Stadium moments. But Jim’s real legacy isn’t in any statue or tribute video. It’s in the lives he touched, the courage he showed, and the game he helped shape.

Rest in peace, Jim. You weren’t just a name on a suite door. You were part of the soul of the sport. Thanks for showing up fully, loudly, imperfectly.

Sources:

• Official Indianapolis Colts press release

• NFL.com tribute articles

• Community tributes from local Indiana news outlets