Total Pro Sports
Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning has paid tribute to the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay following his death on Wednesday.
Irsay is dead at 65, having passed away in his sleep on Wednesday afternoon following a lengthy period in which he stayed away from the public eye.
Manning, who led the Colts to a Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears in 2007, took to Instagram to share an emotional post following the news. He expressed heartbreak as he outlined Irsay’s impact on those who knew him well.
“I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing,” he wrote, sharing two photos of them together.
“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, #18.”
Fellow ex-QB Tom Brady was among those who reacted to the post, commenting “❤️🙏🏻 RIP❤️🙏🏻.”
Irsay made Peyton Manning the first overall pick in 1998, leading to a close friendship between the two.
The late Colts owner, who rose from working as a ball boy to the man in charge, struggled with alcohol abuse and an addiction to painkillers but had been sober for over 20 years.
He lessened his public sightings after suffering a fall at his home near the end of 2023.
According to a report from The Athletic, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, the oldest of his daughters, is expected to take charge of ownership duties. It’s also understood that he wanted all three of his daughters (including Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson) to take over as co-owners in the event of his passing.
