Colts Owner Jim Irsay Dead at 65
Colts owner Jim Irsay dead at 65 — the longtime CEO of the Indianapolis Colts passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. His death leaves a significant void in the Colts organization, the NFL, and among fans who admired his dedication to football and mental health advocacy.
Early Life and Rise in the NFL
Jim Irsay was born on June 13, 1959. He is the son of Robert Irsay, who purchased the Baltimore Colts in 1972. Jim became involved in team matters from a very early age. He began as a ball boy and slowly moved on to front office duties. He became the youngest general manager in the history of the NFL at the age of 24.
When his dad passed away in 1997, Jim took over the franchise. He was one of the league’s youngest owners at that time and assumed his family’s heritage while forging a new course.
A Legacy of Leadership in Indianapolis
The most successful period of the franchise was with Irsay. The organization won Super Bowl XLI in 2006. He also made good decisions, which included the hard decision to cut quarterback Peyton Manning in 2012. It provided the team to rebuild around rookie quarterback Andrew Luck.
After declining to fire Grigson in 2016, a team that only had three free-roaming starters from previous seasons, Irsay put his effort into owning Indianapolis on the field and throwing big money around on how the team would look moving forward. Irsay stuck his neck out for what are the Colts’ failing efforts after handing the executive duties to so many individual factions.
Championing Mental Health
Irsay was open about facing addiction. His own experiences help him feel comfortable advocating for mental health, which is why he and his family initiated “Kicking The Stigma” in 2020, aiming to eliminate stigma and silence around mental illness.
As part of the initiative, the Irsay family has committed over $25 million to programs for mental health across the United States. Irsay has also elevated the conversation, acknowledging mental health as a topic that extends into sports and beyond.
A Passion for Music and History
The Colts’ owner, Jim Irsay, was more than a football fanatic. He was a music lover and a collector. Irsay’s “Jim Irsay Collection” consists of rare guitars, manuscripts, and items from pop culture history. Often, he traveled the country with his band and his collection, providing free public exhibitions and concerts.
Irsay’s engagement with music, history, and storytelling also belied his philosophy on the power of these media to bring people together and foster change.
Family and the Future of the Colts
Jim is survived by his three daughters—Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson. All three have played active roles in running the Colts organization. In 2014, Carlie temporarily took over team leadership during her father’s suspension. She has remained a key figure in the franchise’s operations.
Following Jim’s passing, his daughters are expected to continue leading the team. They will likely follow the vision and principles their father championed.
Reactions and Tributes Across the NFL
As the news spread, tributes came rushing in from all parts of the league. “Jim really cared about football, and he also cared strongly about causes in society,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated. “Peyton Manning, the former Colts quarterback, said he was a generous man who had a passion for what he believed in, which helped to create the career he enjoyed.”
Many team owners, players, and fans shared remembrances of Irsay’s kindness, his leadership, and his resolve to speak openly on difficult issues. He was an owner, but also a community builder, a philanthropist, and a friend to so many.
