Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay (L) talks with former player Reggie Wayne before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana
From Left: Jim Irsay and Reggie Wayne in Indianapolis on Nov. 29, 2015.
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Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne became emotional while remembering late owner Jim Irsay
Irsay, the Colts owner and CEO, died last week at the age of 65
Wayne played 14 seasons with the Colts before joining the NFL team as a wide receiver coach in 2022
Reggie Wayne, the legendary Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, had an emotional message for the team’s current receiver corps as the Colts returned to practice for the first time since longtime owner Jim Irsay’s death.
"I told the receivers, a lot of y'all don't really know him but he would've done anything for anybody," an emotional Wayne, 46, told reporters after practice on Wednesday, May 28, according to ESPN and CBS Sports.
The NFL star added, "He would've gave the clothes off his back ... I said, y'all got to push your asses for him. He would've done that for y'all. So, that's what I told them. I said, 'Y'all got homework to do, man. Read about him. Learn about him.' "
Wayne is currently the Colts’ current wide receivers coach, joining the team in the position in 2022. Alongside quarterback Peyton Manning, he played 14 seasons with Indianapolis and helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2007 before retiring in 2015.
On May 21, Irsay died in his sleep at the age of 65, the team announced. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
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Jim Irsay attends the 15th Annual HOPE Luncheon Seminar at The Plaza Hotel on November 10, 2021 in New York City.
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Irsay was the team’s longtime owner, having operated as its CEO from 1997 until his death last week. Prior to that, Irsay was general manager of the Colts from 1984 to 1996.
“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. Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them,” the team posted to X.
Irsay, who was married to Meg Coyle from 1980 until 2014, had three daughters: Carlie, Casey and Kalen. He is survived by 10 grandchildren.
The Colts’ longtime owner will be memorialized on Monday, June 2 in a private ceremony in Indianapolis, according to NFL.com, while the team says it’s working on setting up a public tribute as well.
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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay reacts to applause during Dwight Freeney"u2019s induction in the team"u2019s Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay reacts to applause during Dwight Freeney"u2019s induction in the team"u2019s Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana
On Wednesday, several current Colts players and coaches shared memories of Irsay, who will be honored with a patch on their jerseys throughout the 2025-26 NFL season.
Defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis told reporters he still remembers the day he was drafted and an enthusiastic Irsay called him to tell him the news. "I was like, 'This dude is really excited.' ... And just after games, whether we won or lost, Jim was always with us,” Lewis said, according to ESPN.
He added, "That was the thing I loved the most about Jim. It was always the players, the team, the organization, the family."
Colts head coach Shane Steichen called Irsay a “phenomenal human being,” according to CBS. “You know how generous he was,” Steichen said, adding, “We’re going to win for him this year.”