Beloved Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay To Receive Legendary Ring of Honor Induction In Week 1

Jim Irsay, the heart and soul behind the Indianapolis Colts for decades, passed away quietly in his sleep in May. He was 65. For many fans and folks in the football world, that news hit hard. Irsay wasn’t just the team’s owner. He was its compass, loudest cheerleader, and at times, emotional core. The Colts have now announced they’ll induct him into their prestigious Ring of Honor during Week 1 of the season. It is a tribute that honestly feels just right.

Jim Irsay: From Ball Boy To Beloved Colts Owner

Jim Irsay’s story with the Colts started way back, not in some boardroom, but as a ball boy for the Baltimore Colts. His father, Robert Irsay, purchased the team in 1972, but Jim Irsay never coasted on the family name. When the franchise packed up and moved to Indianapolis in 1984, Jim climbed the ranks, eventually becoming the youngest GM in NFL history at just 24. That’s not exactly typical.

After his dad passed in 1997, Jim Irsay took over full control and didn’t look back. He led the team for nearly 30 years, and during that time, the Colts didn’t just play football; they made history.

Most notably? That 1998 draft pick. You know the one, Peyton Manning. That move changed everything. Under Jim Irsay’s leadership and with Manning under center, the Colts reached two AFC Championships and finally grabbed that elusive Super Bowl title in 2007. For the city of Indianapolis, that win wasn’t just about football. It was civic pride, validation, and celebration all rolled into one.

Remembering a Passionate Legacy

The Colts front office was quick to express their grief after Jim Irsay’s passing, but it was also a moment to reflect on what Jim Irsay gave, not just to the team, but to the sport and the city. Jim Irsay wasn’t just about the bottom line. He poured money, time, and heart into the game, into building Lucas Oil Stadium, and into the community around him.

Even as health issues took their toll in recent years, Jim Irsay had a tough scare in 2023, and Irsay never drifted far from the action. He showed up. He supported his team. He stayed connected with fans. His presence on the sideline, even when he looked visibly tired, said a lot about his love for the game.

A Tribute That Goes Beyond Football

The Colts’ Ring of Honor isn’t just some ceremonial title. It is reserved for legends who shaped the team’s identity. Jim Irsay’s name belongs there, no question. His imprint is everywhere: in the Super Bowl banner, in the stadium skyline, and in the Colts’ culture itself.

Come Week 1, the ceremony will bring together players, league officials, and fans from across the country. It’s not just about remembering a man who led a team. It is about honoring someone who helped turn Indianapolis into a football town, plain and simple. For many, Jim Irsay wasn’t just the guy in the owner’s box. He was part of the family. And this induction? It’s a thank-you that’s been years, maybe decades, in the making.