Peyton Manning, who spent the majority of his legendary career with the Indianapolis Colts, paid tribute to longtime team owner Jim Irsay, who passed away on Wednesday.
Several people in NFL media fondly remembered Irsay after news of his passing broke. One of those people was Manning, who played with the Colts from 1998 until 2012, when he went to the Denver Broncos. Manning, now a multiple-time Sports Emmy Award winner for his role on the ManningCast, honored Irsay on Wednesday night.
“I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing,” Manning said 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.”
Manning, of course, was selected first overall by Indianapolis in 1998. On Wednesday night, Zak Keefer of The Athletic shared a story of Bill Polian, then the Colts’ general manager and president, sharing his concerns with Irsay. But, as Keefer noted, “Irsay never waffled. Manning was the pick.”
A great Jim Irsay story.
Days before 98 draft. Polian was getting nervous, worried that Manning would end up the next Bernie Kosar.
“Can you live with Bernie Kosar?!?!?” he screamed at Irsay, pounding his fist on Irsay’s desk.
Irsay never waffled. Manning was the pick.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) May 22, 2025