Longtime NFL Owner Jim Irsay Dies At 65

Jim Irsay, the longtime owner of the Indianapolis Colts, died on Wednesday afternoon. He was 65.

According to the team, Irsay “passed away peacefully in his sleep.” He was one of the most recognized team owners in the NFL, taking over the Colts franchise in 1997 after the death of his father, Robert Irsay.

“We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon,” said Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward, according to ESPN. “Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed.”

No cause of death was provided. Irsay is survived by his three daughters and 10 grandchildren.

After taking over in 1997 and selecting legendary quarterback Peyton Manning in the 1998 draft, Irsay built the Colts into one of the best teams in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl in 2007 and the AFC championship in 2009. Irsay made the difficult decision to release Manning in 2012 after the then-35-year-old star quarterback underwent neck surgery. Manning went on to lead the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowls, winning one of them.

“I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing,” Manning wrote in a post on Instagram. “He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL. His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched. 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.”

 

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Along with owning the Colts, Irsay was also known for his philanthropic work and his huge Rock & Roll collection, which includes instruments and items owned by Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, and many others. Irsay also purchased the original handwritten scroll of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” in 2001. The Colts owner often loaned some of his collection to museums, nonprofits, and other organizations to display or research.

Irsay struggled with prescription drug abuse, an issue that the Colts owner said almost killed him. In 2014, Irsay was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and was suspended by the NFL, and then in 2023, he was found unresponsive in his bedroom from a suspected overdose. Shortly after the incident, the team said Irsay was recovering from a “severe respiratory illness.” Irsay made few public appearances in the months leading up to his death.

Ownership of the team will likely transfer to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson. His oldest daughter, Irsay-Gordon, will “primarily take charge of the football side of the franchise,” The Indianapolis Star reported. Irsay-Gordon previously took over for her father when he was suspended during the 2014 season and during his treatment at rehabilitation centers.