The Indianapolis Colts announced on Wednesday that their beloved owner Jim Irsay had passed away.
Irsay served as the general manager for the Colts from 1984-1996, when he would take over as owner and CEO of the team. The Colts had many successful years under the leadership of Irsay, including their championship win in Super Bowl XLI. Irsay would draft star veterean, and all-time great quarterback Peyton Manning to lead their team.
Among those who have offered their condolences to the family during this time is long-time rival of the Colts, and familiar playoff foe, Tom Brady. Brady, who won seven super bowls as a NFL quarterback, including his most recent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spent most of his career with the New England Patriots.
Tom Brady and Peyton Manning would meet five times in the playoffs over their careers, with the Patriots winning four of them.
Brady extended his thoughts and prayers to Irsay's friends and family as he expressed that he was saddened to hear of his passing with a "RIP'' addition to Manning's social media post.
Wrote Manning: "I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing. He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL. His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, rest in peace my friend.''
When you spend as much time as these players and owners do investing in the sport that they love, and you meet as many times as the Colts and Patriots did, you tend to develop a closeness. Some have even gone as far as to call it a brotherhood.
Regardless of which team he owned, Irsay will be missed by his NFL team, family friends, and Tom Brady.
More must-reads: