Indianapolis Colts cancel the death of the owner at 65

Jim Irsay, owner of Indianapolis Colts, died. The team confirmed his death in a statement on Wednesday evening. He was 65.

“We are destroyed to announce our beloved owner and CEO Jim Irsay, who died peacefully in his sleep this afternoon,” said Pete Ward, Chief Operating Officer of the team.

“Jim's commitment and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, his commitment to the community and, above all, his love for his family was unsurpassed. Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson and his entire family as we call them.”

Irsay devoted most of his adult life to the colts.

After years in being a father, Robert Irsay, the then Baltimore Colts-Jim Irsay acquired in various functions for the club, including Ball Boy, Scout and in the HR department. He became the youngest general manager of the organization in 1984, in the same year after the controversy move his father's franchise from Baltimore to Indianapolis. After Robert Irsay's death in 1997, Jim Irsay became the controlling owner of the Colts.

“Some of Jim's most beautiful memories came from his youth work training camps in Baltimore and growing relationships with players, coaches and employees, whom he regarded as his extended family,” says the team's statement.

“Jim's love and appreciation for the NFL in addition to its history, tradition and principles influenced him to become a steward of the game during his over 50 years in the league.”

The Colts have loved in Baltimore for decades and originally didn't win much after landing in Indianapolis. In the 1987 season, Irsay made a significant trade with the Los Angeles Rams for the legendary running back back, but the Indianapolis Colts only won their first playoff game in 1995.

But the franchise became a power pack at the turn of the century. Quarterback Peyton Manning won a record five Liga MVP prices after the Colts selected him on the 1998 NFL design. Manning benefited strongly from the employees who provided Irsay around him, including General Manager Bill Polian and head coach Tony Dungy. The Colts also selected a large number of other future Hall of Famers, including Wideout Marvin Harrison, Back Edgerrin James and the defensive Dwight Freeney.

After years in which he had come to the dynastic New England Patriots, Manning and Co. finally broke through after the 2006 season to win Super Bowl 41. Indianapolis played again three years later on Super Sunday, but lost to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl 44. As a manning, eight division titles conquered and only missed the playoffs twice.

However, the organization has largely problems, although Irsays aggressive attempts to restore “the shoe” on fame. He made the decision to part with injured mening in 2012 and designed Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck as a whole this year. Manning led the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl 50 (his last game), while Lucks once led the career of injuries to his surprise retirement shortly before the 2019 season. Since then, the Colts have not won a night season.

“We were deeply sad to find out about Jim Irsay's death today,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in an explanation. “Jim was a friend and a man who was deeply committed to his family, the game, the Colts and the Indianapolis community.

“Within the League, Jim Was an Active Chairman of the Legislative Committee and Member of the Finance Committee. He Led with Integrity, Passion and Care for the Colts' Players, Coaches and Staff, And His Courageous Work in Support of Mental Health Will Be a Lasting Legacy. Musician and Built to Extraordinary Collection of Historical and Musical Artifacts that He Shared with People Across the Country.

Despite the up and about and agreement of the Colts under Irsay, he had other remarkable success during his tenure. After the club had played in the RCA Dome for years, he moved to the beautiful Lucas Oil Stadium in 2008. Indianapolis organized Super Bowl 46 in 2012 and was widespread as a host city. Irsay also praised his willingness to express himself against the controversial owner of Washington, Daniel Snyder, in 2022, and triggered a dynamic that finally led to Snyder's departure.

Irsay was also a colorful character from the field. As a young man, he accepted the lifting of power. Later in life, he collected guitars, among other things, and introduced his own band – and sang in events around Indianapolis.

Irsay fought against drug abuse during his lifetime. In 2014 he was suspected of driving under the influence and drug possession. He finally owed two offenses and was therefore suspended by the NFL for six games and was fined with a fine of 500,000 US dollars.

In recent years he has been the face of the team's “Kick the Stigma” campaign to help people suffer from psychological problems.

“Jim's generosity can be felt throughout Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country,” says Ward's explanation. “He made the philanthropy a daily effort. He never hesitated to help countless organizations and individuals to live a better life. Music was one of Jim's passions and the ability to share his band and his collection with millions of people around the world.

Irsay has spent the past few years to maintain its daughters to take over the reins of the Colts. Irsay-Gordon led the team during the absence of their father in 2014 and is expected to take on his role. However, no formal succession plan has yet been unveiled.

This story has been updated with new information.

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