Jim Irsay, the esteemed owner of the Indianapolis Colts, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 65. The Colts organization announced his death, expressing their deep sorrow: "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, along with his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed."

Commissioner Roger Goodell of the NFL and Colts COO Pete Ward extended their condolences following Irsay's passing. Irsay became the sole owner of the Colts in 1997, inheriting the team from his father after having served as the youngest general manager in franchise history in 1984, during the team's move from Baltimore to Indianapolis. The team's announcement emphasized Irsay's impact off the field as well, noting, "Jim's generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana, and the country. He made philanthropy a daily endeavor and 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."

Under Irsay's ownership, the Colts experienced significant success on the field. From 1999 to 2014, the team reached the playoffs 14 times, establishing itself as a formidable presence in the NFL during that period. Led by legends such as Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, the Colts secured their first Super Bowl title as the Indianapolis franchise during the 2006 season, claiming Super Bowl XLI. This championship remains the only Lombardi Trophy awarded to the city of Indianapolis, while the team's other Super Bowl victory occurred in Baltimore during the 1970 season. Irsay was instrumental in assembling a roster filled with legendary talent, including Manning, Marvin Harrison Sr., Reggie Wayne, Edgerrin James, and Dwight Freeney, which solidified the Colts' playoff appearance streak for over a decade. Irsay's decision to draft Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in 1998 marked the beginning of this era, as Manning evolved into one of the NFL's most prominent quarterbacks, being a two-time champion, five-time MVP, and 14-time Pro Bowler.

Beyond football, Irsay was known for his passionate love of music, often performing with the Jim Irsay Band at various venues across the country. He was also a devoted collector of music artifacts, a hobby that culminated in the establishment of the Jim Irsay Collection. This collection features an array of musical instruments and items owned by some of the greatest names in music history, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix, among many others. Additionally, Irsay was dedicated to philanthropy, having launched the Kicking the Stigma initiative in 2020. This initiative aims to raise awareness about mental health and combat the stigma surrounding mental illness, creating a platform for athletes to advocate for vulnerability while providing grant support to nonprofits nationwide. Irsay is survived by his three daughters, ten grandchildren, and his ex-wife, who is also the mother of his daughters.