Jim Irsay, the longtime owner of the Indianapolis Colts who rose from humble beginnings as a ball boy to become one of the NFL’s most passionate and unconventional figures, has died at the age of 65, as per The AP.
The announcement was made Wednesday by Colts executive Pete Ward, Irsay’s longtime confidant, who said Irsay passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Irsay’s journey through the NFL was singular. He was instrumental in transforming the Colts from perennial underachievers into Super Bowl champions, all while assembling what’s believed to be the world’s greatest private collection of music memorabilia—and battling personal demons including addiction and chronic health issues.
Irsay took over the Colts in 1997 following the death of his father, Robert Irsay, who controversially moved the team from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984. Though the move left a bitter legacy in Maryland, Jim Irsay was determined to reshape the franchise’s identity.
With Hall of Fame figures like GM Bill Polian, coach Tony Dungy, and quarterback Peyton Manning at his side, Irsay oversaw a golden era of Colts football. The team became a perennial contender and captured its lone Super Bowl title of the Indianapolis era in 2007.
Irsay’s vision helped transform Indianapolis into a football city. He leveraged the team’s success and Manning’s star power to secure the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium, which opened in 2008 and later hosted Super Bowl XLVI.
While Irsay’s football credentials were well-established, his off-field life was marked by highs and lows. He was a collector of historic musical artifacts and literature, famously acquiring the original manuscripts of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road and The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. His collection included guitars and personal effects from legends like Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, and Prince.
But Irsay also publicly battled substance addiction. He admitted to undergoing rehab more than a dozen times and surviving an accidental overdose. In 2014, he was arrested for driving under the influence, later pleading guilty and receiving a six-game suspension and $500,000 fine from the NFL.
Despite the struggles, Irsay remained beloved within the Colts organization and broader NFL circles.
Jim Irsay was a unique figure in sports: part rock star, part old-school football man. He idolized the game’s greats—rubbing shoulders with owners like Al Davis and Lamar Hunt—and brought that wisdom to bear during pivotal league moments such as labor negotiations and the implementation of the salary cap.
He also played a critical role in some of the franchise’s toughest decisions, including releasing Peyton Manning after the 2011 season in favor of rebuilding around rookie QB Andrew Luck.
Despite criticism for focusing heavily on offense, Irsay helped redefine what success looked like for a small-market franchise. He retained key players, honored former stars like Edgerrin James with championship rings, and remained fiercely loyal to his team and city.
Beyond football, Irsay’s love for music, literature, and American history was legendary. His public exhibitions of guitars, handwritten lyrics, and presidential documents became events in themselves. He saw cultural artifacts not just as collectibles, but as instruments—literally and figuratively—for storytelling and connection.
Irsay was also known for his friendships with artists like John Mellencamp and Stephen Stills, and for drawing inspiration from the writings of Hunter S. Thompson and Bob Dylan lyrics.
In recent years, Irsay’s public appearances became more limited as he struggled with health issues. He suffered a fall in December 2023 and was later diagnosed with a respiratory illness. He had undergone multiple surgeries and was in recovery as recently as last summer.
Through it all, Irsay remained committed to his team, his family, and the causes he cared about—from mental health to animal welfare.
Jim Irsay may have started as a ball boy, but he ended his life as a titan of the sport, a steward of culture, and an unforgettable personality in the NFL’s rich history.
He is survived by his three daughters, all of whom hold leadership roles within the Colts organization.
