Jim Irsay Dies at Age 65, Colts Owner Since 1997 Led Team to Super Bowl 41 Title

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died Wednesday at the age of 65.

"We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon," the team said in an announcement. "Jim's dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Colts COO Pete Ward each released a statement following Irsay's death:

Irsay became the sole owner of the Colts when he inherited them from his father in 1997 after he was previously named the youngest general manager in franchise history in 1984 when the team arrived in Indianapolis from Baltimore.

Yet the team's announcement also focused on more than just football.

"Jim's generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country," it said. "He made philanthropy a daily endeavor. He never hesitated to help countless organizations and individuals live better lives. … Simply put, he wanted to make the world a better place and that philosophy never wavered."

On the field, the Colts enjoyed plenty of success since Irsay took over as owner in 1997.

They went to the playoffs 14 times in a 16-year period from 1999 through 2014 as one of the gold standards of the NFL with Peyton Manning and then Andrew Luck leading the way under center. They also won Super Bowl XLI during the 2006 campaign during that span, which remains the city of Indianapolis' only Lombardi Trophy.

The organization's other Super Bowl title came when it was still in Baltimore during the 1970 campaign.

Irsay helped put together and oversee a team that featured a number of legendary players such as Manning, Marvin Harrison Sr., Reggie Wayne, Edgerrin James and Dwight Freeney, among others, as the team was a constant presence in the NFL playoffs for more than a decade.

The decision to draft Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in 1998 helped spur that era of dominance, as he became one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks as a two-time champion, five-time MVP and 14-time Pro Bowler.

Off the field, Irsay was known for his love of music and even performed in the Jim Irsay Band at various locations across the country.

What's more, he collected a number of music artifacts as part of the Jim Irsay Collection.

"The collection is highlighted by musical instruments and items owned and used by the greatest artists in music history, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, David Gilmour, Jim Morrison, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, The Edge, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, and other icons, as well as signed photos, handwritten lyrics, and other historic music memorabilia," per the collection's website.

Irsay was also known for his philanthropy and even launched Kicking the Stigma in 2020.

"Since 2020, Kicking The Stigma has worked to raise awareness around mental health and combat the feelings of shame associated with mental illness," per the initiative's website. "We created a space for athletes to advocate for vulnerability and launched a grant program to support nonprofits across the country. But most importantly, we've inspired hundreds of Hoosiers to speak up, share their story, and seek treatment for their mental health."

Irsay is survived by his three daughters, 10 grandchildren, and his ex-wife and daughters' mother.