Colts Owner Jim Irsay Passes Away At 65

The Colts reported this evening that team owner and CEO Jim Irsay had passed away in his sleep earlier today. Irsay was 65 years old at the time of his passing and is survived by his three daughters.

Irsay started his employment with the Colts when the franchise was still in Baltimore, but his history with the team reaches back a bit further. When he was 12 years old, Irsay’s father, Robert Irsay, became the owner of the Colts. The elder Irsay had originally purchased the Rams for $12MM but made the move to swap franchises, tax-free, with then-Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom, who had been desiring an exit from Baltimore due to stadium issues and disagreements with city officials.

With his father in charge, the younger Irsay spent his free time helping the team as a ball boy or by answering phones in the ticket office. Once he graduated from SMU in 1982, he immediately joined his father’s staff in an official capacity, getting oriented in all aspects of football operations and administrative work. In 1983, he joined the personnel department breaking down film and scouting college prospects. Just a year later, after the team moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis, he became the youngest general manager in NFL history at 24 years old, in addition to being named vice president of the team, as well.

Irsay held that role for 11 years, with the team winning one division title and making three playoff appearances during his tenure as GM. When his father suffered a stroke, Irsay’s titled changed to senior executive vice president, general manager, and chief operating office as he took over operations for his father. After his father died two years later, Irsay became the youngest NFL team owner in league history at 37 years old, following a legal battle for ownership with his stepmother. From the day Irsay took over to now, the Colts have the sixth-most wins in the NFL while also winning 10 division titles, making the playoffs 18 times, making two Super Bowl appearances, and winning one Lombardi Trophy.

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