Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Colts breaking a curse that had gone on for over a decade was the perfect way to finish late owner Jim Irsay's big day

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Destin Adams | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 8:38 PM ET

Week 1 of the NFL season has been like a horror movie that would never end for the Indianapolis Colts. Finally, after 11 years, the curse has come to an end with the Colts' dominant win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. To make this win even better, it came during the team's late owner Jim Irsay's induction into the Colts ring of honor.

For Jim Irsay: the Colts beat the Dolphins for their first regular-season opener win since 2013, when Indianapolis beat the Raiders.

It had been almost 4,400 days since the Colts last won a Week 1 game.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2025

The Colts breaking their Week 1 curse puts a nice bow on Jim Irsay's Ring of Honor day

Jim Irsay's name is shown as a Ring of Honor member on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since 2014, the Colts have had a 0-10-1 record in Week 1. It was one of the most embarrassing ongoing curses in the NFL, and in the year of 2025, it came to an end. The Colts left no doubt, winning convincingly by a score of 30-8, a game that Mr.Irsay was surely smiling and looking down on.

During halftime of this dominant performance, the Colts inducted Irsay into their Ring of Honor, with multiple top players from the franchise's history watching on . None other than the greatest player to ever wear a Colts uniform, Peyton Manning, even gave a heartwarming speech during the ceremony.

Part of Peyton Manning’s halftime speech for Jim Irsay going into the #Colts Ring of Honor: pic.twitter.com/oqXDSsUuAO
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) September 7, 2025

Irsay may no longer be in the locker room celebrating a Colts win with the players, but he will always be a part of Indianapolis sports, and now his name will forever be seen in Lucas Oil Stadium.

Gone but never forgotten is a phrase often used for people who pass away, but it seems especially true for someone like Jim Irsay. This game and ceremony are a fantastic way for the team's new ownership, led by Jim's three daughters, to begin their tenure.