Jim Irsay, who grew up around the NFL’s Colts before he assumed control of the team himself, died in his sleep Wednesday at 65, the team announced.
No cause of death was given. Irsay had battled health issues in recent years. When he appeared at the Indianapolis Colts’ training camp last summer, it was his first public appearance since the previous season, The Indianapolis Star reported, and he told the Star that he had been recuperating after having undergone several operations following a fall at his home.
Irsay was 13 when his father, Robert, bought the Baltimore Colts in 1972. When the franchise moved to Indianapolis in 1984, the younger Irsay was named vice president and general manager; he became its chief operating officer in 1996.
Upon his father’s death in 1997, Irsay took over his family’s business as the team’s owner and chief executive. His time in ownership overlapped with the arrival of quarterback Peyton Manning, who led the Colts to a win in the Super Bowl in 2007.
“Jim’s love and appreciation for the NFL, in addition to its history, tradition and principles influenced him to become a steward of the game throughout his 50-plus years in the League,” the Colts said in a statement.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened.”
“He spent his life and career in the National Football League,” Goodell said. “Starting as a teenager as a Colts’ ballboy, he learned every position in the organization before assuming leadership of the Colts approximately 30 years ago. Jim’s Colts won the Super Bowl, hosted another and built Lucas Oil Stadium.”
Beyond football, Irsay was known for his collection of pop culture, historic and music artifacts, including guitars played by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Prince; a first edition of Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl”; and items used by presidents. He had also spoken candidly about his history of addiction. In 2023, he told HBO’s “Real Sports” that he had been in rehab at least 15 times and had once accidentally overdosed.
Irsay is survived by daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson.
