Colts owner Jim Irsay passes at 65, leaving behind NFL legacy rooted in passion, pain and redemption

A lifelong dreamer and football lifer
Jim Irsay, the passionate and often unpredictable owner of the Indianapolis Colts, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday (May 21) at the age of 65. His death marks not just the end of an era for the Colts franchise, but for the National Football League, where Irsay spent a lifetime blending eccentric charm with a fierce devotion to the game.

His daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson survive him, along with his ex-wife Meg Coyle and 10 grandchildren. Of his children, Carlie is seen as the most actively involved in team operations, even stepping in during Irsay's 2014 NFL suspension.

Also read: Taylor Swift scores big for the NFL: Brings in over $1 billion even before the Super Bowl kick-off

The Colts confirmed his passing in a heartfelt team statement from COO Pete Ward, who called Irsay’s love for his family, team and community “unsurpassed.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell added that Irsay’s “courageous work in support of mental health will be a lasting legacy,” recognizing the owner’s outspoken commitment to addiction awareness and recovery support.

NFL ownership rooted in legacy and heartache
Irsay became the NFL's youngest owner in 1997 at age 37 after the death of his father, Bob Irsay. He assumed control of the Colts following a contentious legal battle with his stepmother, marking the start of a remarkable stewardship. Under Irsay, the Colts emerged from mediocrity to rank as the fifth-winningest NFL team since his official ownership began.

The apex came after the 2006 season, when the Colts captured Super Bowl XLI. A now-iconic image from that rainy Miami night shows Irsay drenched and elated, holding the Lombardi Trophy high. Yet even in glory, Irsay remained driven by dreams of future championships.

In interviews, he spoke frequently of chasing greatness, once even imagining three straight titles. “How can you get up and go to work without accepting wanting to be the absolute best?” he asked in 2019. But reality intervened: Tom Brady’s dominance, Peyton Manning’s injury, Andrew Luck’s early retirement. Irsay’s championship aspirations would ultimately go unfulfilled.

Also read: NFL 2025 schedule highlights: Jayden Daniels leads Commanders with primetime games

Mental health, addiction and redemption in the public eye
Jim Irsay’s battle with addiction was as public as it was profound. His 2014 DUI arrest, subsequent rehab stints, at least 15 by his own admission, and a 2023 suspected overdose, highlighted his personal struggle. Yet, rather than retreat, Irsay channeled his pain into purpose.

With his daughters, he launched “Kicking the Stigma,” a mental health initiative that awarded over $25 million in grants since 2020. Through public service campaigns and personal testimonies, Irsay challenged stigmas, offering visibility to issues often shrouded in silence. His prized possession was the “Big Book,” Alcoholics Anonymous’ founding manuscript, which he called a lifeline for broken families like his own.

He was deeply shaped by witnessing his father’s alcoholism and temper but remained vulnerable about his own setbacks. “Because of those 12 steps, I've been able to bridge the dam of generations and say, ‘Stop! No more!’” Irsay told ESPN in 2023.

A collector, a musician, and a man who made football his life
Beyond the gridiron, Irsay was a flamboyant collector and musician. His Jim Irsay Collection toured globally, boasting Muhammad Ali’s “Rumble in the Jungle” belt and one of the world’s finest guitar collections. He once paid $915,000 for an Elton John piano, outbidding another NFL owner, and even rejected a billion-dollar offer for the collection.

Also read: NFL schedule 2025: Which sides may have toughest and easiest schedule this time?

His public persona stood apart from typical NFL billionaires. Irsay routinely handed out hundred-dollar bills at training camp, hosted trivia contests online, and played guitar onstage with his own band. His life was a collision of rock star bravado and business leadership.

In recent months, his health declined. After his hospitalization in December 2023 and absence from the NFL Draft and owners’ meeting, fans feared the worst. Still, earlier Wednesday, Irsay tweeted support for the Indiana Pacers as they began their playoff run after his final public message.

A final act in the Irsay legacy
Ownership of the Indianapolis Colts is expected to transfer to his daughters, who were each granted ownership titles in 2012. While the details of any estate tax implications remain unclear, Jim Irsay had long insisted that the team would remain in family hands.

Also read: Buffalo Bills NFL Schedule Release 2025: Key fixtures, record prediction, opponents

“We're keeping 100 percent of the team,” he once said, “and I'm passing it on to my children.”

His legacy, like his life, defies simple classification. Jim Irsay was an NFL owner, a mental health advocate, a musician, and a man who loved both his city and his team with equal fire. His story now becomes part of football history, a narrative of passion, vulnerability, and perseverance.