“His passion and dedication were truly inspiring”: NFL world bids farewell to legendary Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay | NFL News

Indianapolis Colts owner and NFL legend Jim Irsay died peacefully at the age of 65, said an official statement from the team. Billed as his impassioned enthusiasm, generosity, and strong connections to the football fraternity, Jim Irsay’s demise has set in motion a sea change of heartfelt condolences across the NFL, with messages of appreciation from Peyton Manning and Pat McAfee.His demise is the end of an era for the Colts organization and leaves the league with a permanent legacy.

NFL honors Jim Irsay as visionary owner and dear friend

“We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon,” Pete Ward, the team’s chief operating officer, announced. “Jim’s generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country,” the Baltimore Colts team wrote. “He made philanthropy a daily endeavor. He never hesitated to help countless organizations and individuals live better lives.”Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee shared a heartfelt tribute on social media: “This is devastating… Jim had friendships with a lot of his former players… I was lucky to be one of them. Playing for a team that Mr Irsay ran was an honor. He was funny, brilliant, unique, and somehow still wildly relatable for a man who became the sole owner of an NFL team at the age of 37… And before that, hired as the youngest general manager in the history of the league as a 24 year old,” he wrote.“He battled his demons, as we all do but, God blessed Jim Irsay with an abundance of compassion… he wanted to give back/help everybody and everything he saw or knew about… putting a list together of all of the causes/things/people that he’s given to would be an impossible task.. Probably well over $100,000,000.. there was even a whale about to get an assist from Jim at one point. Anybody that met him would say that he seemingly woke up everyday wanting to help people… Life got in the way sometimes but, anybody who actually knew him loved him.”Peyton Manning, whose arrival in 1998 made the Colts into consistent contenders, also released a statement regretting and thanking, “I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, rest in peace my friend,” he wrote on Instagram.

Tributes poured in from the NFL online community

The NFL world resonated with these feelings, and messages flooded in from the Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, and past Colts stars like TY Hilton and Darius Butler. Even Lucas Oil Stadium’s official handle saluted Irsay, terming him the “architect” of Colts’ current home. American football team Washington Commanders tweeted: “His passion and dedication to our league, his community, and the fans were truly inspiring. Our hearts are with the Colts and the Irsay family at this time.” Denver Broncos, three-time Super Bowl champs also shared their statement: “We join the NFL community in mourning the passing of Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay. Mr. Irsay’s vibrant personality, love of the game and dedication to his team & community will be remembered throughout the NFL. #BroncosCountry sends its deepest sympathies to the Irsay family, the Colts organization, and all of #ColtsNation.” Lucas Oil Stadium also shared their tribute on X: “If Lucas Oil Stadium is the house that Peyton built, Jim Irsay was the architect. Thank you, Jim, for all you’ve done for our team, our city and our state.”Also read: Inside Jim Irsay’s tangled legacy: Divorce secrets, activist girlfriend, and how his daughters are takingJim Irsay’s passion for the game, his players, and the Colts family was evident—and it’s that legacy of giving and daring vision that will endure within the hearts of those whom he impacted. While the NFL mourns his death, Jim Irsay is not just remembered as a revolutionary owner of a team but also as an individual who genuinely cared about people.