Colts nation is mourning the passing of Jim Irsay, the legendary owner who rose from ballboy to franchise president after decades of faithful service on and off the field. He was 65.
Pete Ward, who acted as Irsay’s wingman through billion-dollar deals and high-stakes drafts for years, announced his passing in a statement, saying his friend died peacefully in his sleep.
“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,” Ward said. “Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.”
Alongside Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy and general manager Bill Polian, Ward and Irsay transformed the Indianapolis Colts from a laughingstock into a perennial Super Bowl contender. He leveraged the fame of quarterback Peyton Manning to profit off two championship appearances, including a victory over the Chicago Bears at Super Bowl XLI.
A 911 call was made from Irsay’s home on Dec. 8, where police officers reported finding the 65-year-old breathing but unresponsive and with blue-tinged skin.
Ward, who was with Irsay at the time, said he feared his friend was suffering from congestive heart failure and that Irsay’s nurse confirmed his blood oxygen level was extremely low. He was “mostly” unconscious at the time, the police report states.
He was diagnosed with a respiratory illness a month later, according to the Western Journal.
Irsay’s health struggles followed two life-altering surgeries last year, leaving him confined to a golf cart during training season. He did not address the Colts’ camp, as was his tradition.
The franchise owner had also spoken publicly about his battle with painkillers prescribed after going under the knife.
The Colts were handed down to Irsay by his father Robert, the former owner who employed his young son as a ballboy during some of the team’s worst years on record. Robert Irsay acquired the team from Carroll Rosenbloom, who took over the Los Angeles Rams, according to the outlet.
Through hard work and determination, Irsay rose to general manager at the shockingly young age of 24. He took over the reins from his father in 1997.
Outside of football, Irsay is remembered as a devoted rock n’ roll fan who collected rare guitars, befriended countless musicians, and frequently roused his team with inspirational speeches that relied on some of the lyrics that touched him most deeply.
“Jim was one of the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever known. He was awesome to me and my family. He was a blessing to his players and staff. But more than that he had a heart for people and for the city of Indianapolis. He loved people and did so many things for others—more things than you could imagine.
I miss him already,” Dungy wrote after the news of Irsay’s death broke.
“He was a special man and I couldn’t have worked for a better owner.”
