The NFL world received heartbreaking news on Wednesday evening when the Indianapolis Colts announced that longtime owner Jim Irsay had passed away in his sleep at the age of 65.
Irsay inherited the franchise from his father, Robert Irsay, who purchased the Colts in 1972 for $12 million. Jim officially took over in 1997 and played a pivotal role in elevating the organization to new heights—helping lead the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2007 and multiple division titles.
His sudden passing came as a shock to many, especially given that he had posted on social media just hours before the news broke.
That post quickly went viral, amassing millions of views. It was simple yet powerful—a reflection of Irsay’s character and deep love for the city of Indianapolis. The message was directed toward the Indiana Pacers, who are currently competing in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks.
“Go PACERS,” Irsay posted Wednesday morning. “Good luck to Herb, the entire @Pacers organization, and our city!”
The post was last edited at 11:58 a.m. ET, and just a few hours later, the Colts shared the heartbreaking news.
"We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon," a portion of the Colts’ statement read. "Jim's dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts—along with his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family—were unsurpassed. Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them."
Jim Irsay
Jim Irsay
© Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Shortly after the news broke, former Colts legend Peyton Manning—who was drafted No. 1 overall by Indianapolis in 1998 and was one of Irsay’s first draft picks as owner—shared an emotional message on Instagram to honor Irsay and offer condolences to his family.
"I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay's passing," Manning wrote. "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 pravers are with his family and everyone in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, rest in peace my friend. #18"