Peyton Manning is among those mourning the death of Colts owner Jim Irsay.
Irsay, had led the team since 1997, [died on Wednesday.](https://apnews.com/article/jim-irsay-dead-colts-77069591b2eeaab1707bc400cc3aafee) He was 65.
“I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing,” Manning, a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback who is considered the greatest Colt of all time, [wrote on Instagram.](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ73ljgto8m/?hl=en&img_index=1)
“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.”
Irsay drafted Manning No. 1 overall in the 1998 NFL draft, igniting an era of sustained success for a franchise that hadn’t reached the Super Bowl since 1970.
With Irsay leading the front office and Manning running and explosive offense alongside weapons like Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, the franchise enjoyed an era of success not seen since the days of Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts.
The run included a Super Bowl title in 2006, 9 AFC South titles, 2 AFC titles and 16 playoff appearances, but came to an end in 2012 when a reluctant Irsay made the decision to release Manning amid a neck injury and financial restraints facing the franchise.
In a tearful joint news conference with Manning, Irsay described the moment as “a difficult day here of shared pain between Peyton, myself, the fans -- everyone.”
Manning, who had played his entire career with Indianapolis, said, “It’s not what either of us wanted.” Manning went on to win his fifth MVP award in 2013 and his second Super Bowl in 2015, both with Denver.
Indianapolis is the sixth-winningest organization in the NFL since Irsay officially became owner but has struggled in the years since Andrew Luck’s surprise retirement.
The Colts haven’t made the playoffs since 2020, which was the year after Luck’s announcement.