As NFL reporter Zak Keefer said it best, “He started out as a ballboy, scooping up jockstraps in the locker room. He was a GM at 25, an owner at 37. He was honest and unpredictable and complicated, but he poured his heart and soul into his team for 50+ years.” That’s the story of Jim Irsay, known to most as the face of the Indianapolis Colts since 1997. After 28 years of passion, hustle, and deep love for his team and city, he’s now gone. The news has stunned everyone. But before he left, he made sure to leave behind one final message for the people he loved the most – his community.
The Colts’ official X account confirmed that Jim Irsay passed away at the age of 65 on Wednesday. Just seven hours before his death, though, he posted one final message, one filled with heart and hometown pride. Cheering on his beloved Indiana Pacers, he wrote on X, “Go PACERS. Good luck to Herb, the entire @Pacers organization, and our city! (arm flexing and heart emojis).”
The Pacers are going head-to-head with the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. And with that final tweet, Jim Irsay wasn’t just cheering on a game, he was sending love to his friend Herb Simon and the entire Indy community. Sadly, that message became his last. As the news of his passing spread, an outpouring of grief followed.
Go PACERS. Good luck to Herb, the entire @Pacers organization, and our city!
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) May 21, 2025
Among the many tributes, Herb Simon and his family spoke on behalf of the Pacers, honoring Irsay’s memory. In an emotional post, they shared, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Jim Irsay. Jim took the time today to cheer us on – he was more than the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, he was a transformative figure in our city and state, a passionate advocate for the community, and someone whose generosity, vision, and spirit touched countless lives. Jim helped shape our city into the sports capital it is today, and his legacy, both on and off the field, will continue to inspire us and generations to come….He will be sorely missed.”
Besides them, Colts legend Peyton Manning, who was drafted first overall in 1998, was left completely shaken by the heartbreaking news. With teary eyes and a heavy heart, he shared, “I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing. 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.”
Manning had been through a tough stretch during his time in Indy, including three neck surgeries in just 19 months. Irsay eventually had to let him go in 2011, but not before Peyton delivered a Super Bowl win and racked up four MVPs for the team. Even after parting ways, their bond stayed strong. Now, with Jim Irsay gone, that loss hits even deeper for Manning and the entire sports world.
How did Colts’ owner Jim Irsay die?
Jim Irsay passed away in his sleep at 65, but the exact cause hasn’t been shared by the Colts yet. What we do know is that he had been dealing with serious health struggles in recent years. Back in December 2023, police found him unresponsive at his home in Carmel, Indiana. He had shallow breathing, a bluish color, and barely a pulse. They gave him Narcan, used in opioid overdoses, and he showed some response before heading to the hospital. That time, it was labeled a “suspected overdose,” though the exact details stayed private.
However, the Colts later called it a “severe respiratory illness,” and Irsay himself said it was from a leg injury that caused internal bleeding and needed surgery. He also had a long history of health battles, including addiction and several surgeries. But last summer, he showed up to Colts training camp, his first public appearance in a while, and shared that he’d been recovering from those surgeries after a bad fall.
Jim Irsay had been part of the Colts family almost his entire life. At just 13, he watched his dad buy the team. By 1984, after the move to Indy, Jim became GM and later took over as owner in 1997 after his father’s death. And even as a teenager, he showed heart. Once, when Bob Irsay’s tirade in the locker room left the players and coaches to make quitting decisions, Jim stepped onto the team bus.
After that rough night, he held back tears and reminded everyone, “We’re a football team. And emotions got in the way of that tonight.” That moment stayed with the coaches forever, who called it a “tremendous” act for a teenager to show. Of course, as per Zak Keefer, his approach towards ownership is – “It has to be about more than just football. It has to be about the community, making the community better. I think it’s the most notable endeavor you can pursue.” No doubt, Jim Irsay will be deeply missed by the entire Indy! He is survived by 3 daughters (Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Irsay Foyt and Kalen Irsay Jackson), and 7 grandchildren.
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