Jim Irsay, the owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, has passed away at the age of 65. In a statement released by the team, it was announced, 'We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon. 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.'

Commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, along with Colts COO Pete Ward, expressed their condolences following Irsay's death. Irsay inherited the Colts in 1997 from his father and had been the sole owner since. Notably, he had been appointed the youngest general manager in the franchise's history in 1984 when the team moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis. The announcement from the Colts emphasized Irsay's impact beyond football, stating, 'Jim's generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana, and the country. He made philanthropy a daily endeavor, never hesitating 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.'

Under Irsay's leadership, the Colts experienced remarkable success, making the playoffs 14 times between 1999 and 2014. The period saw the rise of legendary players such as Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, with Irsay overseeing the team's victory in Super Bowl XLI during the 2006 season, which remains Indianapolis' only Lombardi Trophy to date. Irsay was instrumental in drafting Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in 1998, a decision that helped define a decade of dominance, as Manning evolved into one of the league's greatest quarterbacks, achieving two championships, five MVP awards, and 14 Pro Bowl selections. Beyond football, Irsay was also recognized for his love of music, performing with the Jim Irsay Band and collecting music artifacts from notable artists including Bob Dylan and The Beatles. Furthermore, he founded the Kicking the Stigma initiative in 2020 to raise awareness around mental health issues. Irsay is survived by his three daughters, 10 grandchildren, and his ex-wife.