Indianapolis Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay Dies at Age 65

 Colts Owner Jim Irsay Dies at 65

INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Irsay, longtime owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, passed away Wednesday at the age of 65. Irsay had led the franchise since 1997, overseeing one of its most successful eras.

“We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon,” said Colts COO Pete Ward in a statement. “Jim’s passion for the Colts, his generosity, his commitment to the community, and above all, his love for his family, were unmatched.”

Irsay is survived by his daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson; his ex-wife Meg Coyle; and 10 grandchildren. Carlie, the eldest, has played a key role in team operations for years and stepped in during her father’s NFL suspension in 2014.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell remembered Irsay as “a man deeply committed to his family, the game, and the Indianapolis community,” praising his advocacy for mental health and his impact on the league.

Irsay’s health had been in question since December 2023, when he was found unresponsive at home in what authorities described as a suspected overdose. The Colts later revealed he was being treated for a severe respiratory illness.

Although he made a few public appearances afterward, Irsay had remained largely out of the spotlight. He missed the 2025 NFL meetings and was absent from April’s draft. Just hours before his death, he had posted support for the Indiana Pacers on social media.

A Lasting Legacy

Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, whom Irsay drafted in 1998, paid tribute: “He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner… His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched.”

Irsay took over ownership at age 37 after the death of his father, Robert Irsay, becoming the youngest owner in the NFL at the time. He was deeply involved in shaping league policies, including the creation of the salary cap, and served on the NFL’s finance and legislative committees.

Known for his eccentric personality, Irsay strayed from the typical mold of an NFL owner. He fronted his own rock band, handed out cash to fans, and regularly engaged followers with trivia contests on social media.

More than anything, Irsay loved football. He grew up around the game in Baltimore, where his father originally owned the team. That early exposure shaped his stewardship of the Colts, a role he viewed as a calling.

Under his leadership, the Colts became one of the NFL’s top franchises, winning Super Bowl XLI in 2007 and appearing in another in 2010. That championship moment, with Irsay hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in the rain, remains iconic.

Though the team struggled in recent years, Irsay never stopped dreaming. He once famously predicted a run of three straight titles, saying, “How can you get up and go to work without wanting to be the absolute best?”

Tough Decisions and Personal Battles

Irsay made bold choices—none more emotional than releasing Manning in 2012 after his neck injury and selecting Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick. “That era’s ended,” he later said, recalling how he broke down in tears in front of his daughters after making the decision.

Outside of football, Irsay was an avid collector, curating the Jim Irsay Collection—a traveling museum of over 500 historic items, including Muhammad Ali’s championship belt and iconic musical instruments. He once turned down a $1 billion offer for the collection.

One item stood out above all for Irsay: the original manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous’ "Big Book." A recovering addict himself, Irsay said the book symbolized the generational healing he sought after witnessing his father's battle with alcoholism. Irsay admitted to attending rehab more than 15 times.

Fueled by his personal experiences, Irsay championed mental health through the Colts' “Kicking the Stigma” campaign, which has raised over $31 million for related causes.

The Future of the Colts

Ownership of the Colts is expected to remain in the Irsay family. His daughters were each given ownership titles in 2012 and have played active roles in team leadership. While the precise structure of the succession remains unclear, Irsay’s intentions had always been explicit: “We’re keeping 100 percent of the team,” he once said. “And I’m passing it on to my children.”