INDIANAPOLIS – Jim Irsay, the owner and CEO of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, has died. He was 65.
Irsay “passed away peacefully in his sleep” on Wednesday, the Colts announced.
“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,” the Colts said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.”
Irsay became the Colts owner in 1997, taking over the team from his father, Robert, who purchased the then-Baltimore Colts in 1972. Jim worked for the Colts beginning in 1982 in a range of roles, including ticketing, public relations and eventually becoming the youngest general manager in franchise history at age 24.
During his 28 years as team owner, Irsay oversaw the Colts during its most storied era. The Colts made the playoffs in 14 of 16 seasons from 1999 to 2014, including winning Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago bears in February 2007.
Irsay’s daughter, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, 44, is expected to assume control of the Colts’ football operations following her father’s death, the Indy Star reports. She is expected to share ownership of the Colts with her sisters, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson, who have served as vice chairs/owners of the team since 2012.
In addition to his daughter, Irsay is survived by his ex-wife and his daughter’s mother, Meg Coyle, as well as 10 grandchildren.
Legendary Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who led the Colts from 1998 to 2011, issued a statement recognizing Irsay’s death.
“I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing,” Manning wrote in an Instagram post Thursday. “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.”