The football world is mourning the passing of Jim Irsay, longtime owner of the Indianapolis Colts, who died at 65. While not an uncommon age to pass, many feel that Irsay still had much more to give.
Irsay had been part of the Colts for over four decades, taking over ownership in 1997. Under his leadership, the team entered its most successful period in franchise history. His ability to make smart decisions played a key role in the team’s sustained success.
One of his most important moves came in 1998, when he chose Peyton Manning as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Though Manning struggled early on, he went on to have a Hall of Fame career and became one of the most respected quarterbacks in NFL history.
Manning has always spoken highly of Irsay, and his reaction to the sad news was emotional. He took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute, writing:
“He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL.”
Jim Irsay’s legacy will be remembered not only for his business decisions, but also for the personal impact he had on those around him.