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Fever's Stephanie White Sends Strong Message After Heartbreaking News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated May 22, 2025 8:45 PM ET

Stephanie White had a strong debut for her second stint as the head coach of the Indiana Fever, defeating the Chicago Sky by 35 points in the 2025 WNBA season opener. However, the Fever came back to Earth in their second game, falling to the Atlanta Dream in the final seconds of Tuesday night's game.

But White and Indiana had a chance to make it right, facing the Dream once again on Thursday, this time at State Farm Center in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, suffered a big loss as Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay passed away at age 65. In his nearly three-decade tenure with the Colts, Irsay led Indianapolis to its first Super Bowl win in 2007.

"We were deeply saddened to learn of Jim Irsay's passing today," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated. "Jim was a friend, and a man deeply committed to his family, the game, the Colts, and the Indianapolis community."

Ahead of Thursday's game in Atlanta, White addressed the passing of Irsay. The 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year had nothing but praise for the longtime Colts owner.

"Send our thoughts and prayers and well wishes to the Irsay family," White said. "We lost a legend. What Jim Irsay and his family have meant to the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana and sports in the state of Indiana is immeasurable. We're thinking about his family and sending all of our well wishes."

Steph White starts her pregame press conference by sending condolences to the family of Jim Irsay and the Colts organization: pic.twitter.com/MuOWZ4z9wB
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) May 22, 2025

Even Colts' legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, who was a big part of the 2007 Super Bowl team, shared a heartfelt message on Irsay.

"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," Manning wrote on Instagram. "His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched."

Following the second game against the Dream, White and the Fever will get a shot at the defending champions, facing Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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