Peyton Manning: Why Jim Irsay's Antics Prove More Owners Should Embrace Twitter

Yesterday, Twitter was set ablaze by actor Rob Lowe's tweet that Indianapolis Colts legend Peyton Manning was on the verge of retirement. 

Stunningly absurd, I know. 

In somewhat of a response to Lowe's "Twitter bomb," Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted the following:

Crazy stuff in the Twitterverse these days. 

Irsay is easily the most connected and social media savvy owner in the NFL, if not all of sports. During the year, he frequently tweets team news, roster updates and inactive lists. 

Few owners are as outgoing, people-friendly or eccentric as Irsay, but he's becoming a pioneer. 

The 52-year-old is rare because he's relating to fans, something owners almost never do.

They make their appearances when they have to, are seemingly either too tight with their money, or invest too much in the wrong places.

Due to their immense wealth, the average Joe's perception is usually unfavorable.

Those thoughts don't encompass all owners, obviously, but most of them.

If used correctly, Twitter has the intrinsic power to alter the preconceived notions surrounding anyone whom, at first, seems superior.

Irsay understands that and isn't afraid to "humanize" himself and open up to his followers on the website THEY use.

There's just something about only showing your face during a rigid press conference and then disappearing into the shadows after a handful of questions that doesn't sit well with fans.

He approached the Lowe situation on Twitter and even kept the joke going.  Was anyone taking Lowe's tweet as Gospel?

No.

Instead of calling a press conference to sternly deny the actor's claim, he casually tweeted and got a laugh from everyone.

Some fans may still not like everything Irsay does, but he's using Twitter to be a trend-setter, and it has made him an extremely appealing, relatable and down-to-earth guy. 

How many other NFL owners can say that?

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