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The world of sport was shaken by the death of the legendary owner of the Indianapolis Jim Irsay Colts on Wednesday.
The news struck particularly hard for many former Irsay Colts players, including the Peyton Manning Professional Football Temple.
Manning, who played his first 13 seasons for the colts and helped them win the Super Bowl in the 2006 season, shared his respect for Irsay in an Instagram position on Wednesday evening.
“My heart is broken to hear about the death of Jim Irsay. He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to have given me my start in the NFL. His love for the colts and the city of Indy were unrivaled. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten.
Many of the former Manning Indianapolis teammates have also expressed their condolences.
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The quarter-back of the Indianapolis colts, Peyton Manning, n ° 10, calls for the melee line in a match of the AFC jokers during the NFL football qualifiers against the New York Jets in Indianapolis. (AP)
The former bettor of the colts and current animator of the ESPN, Pat McAfee, shared a long history in a post Wednesday, detailing his experience with Irsay throughout the career of the bettor.
“The first time that he and I really had an extended convo was at the training camp after the lockout in 2011. The players and the front office were not allowed to communicate with each other during the lockout, but Jim followed me on Twitter throughout the ABC negotiations, his first day at the training camp, immediately after the end of the lockout, he led his golf cart to connect Started at questioning on Twitter.
McAfee even credited Irsay to have helped the bettor to succeed in the NFL.
“When I decided to retire .. he and I had a 2.5-hour conversation in his office. He was sitting at his office. Stronging the S — out of his vape .. and we talked about everything I hoped to do. And then he tried to make my decision. Added.
“Jim did everything he could to help me succeed. He would join our show every time I asked, no matter where he was in the world. He would send me motivation messages when he heard that I was going to do through something.
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Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis colts, is addressed to fans of the enthronement of Reggie Wayne in the Ring of Honor at the Lucas Oil Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
The legendary NFL botter, Adam Viniatieri, expressed condolences to Irsay in a post X. Viniatieri cemented his heritage by helping the New England Patriots to win three Super Bowls from 2001 to 2005, often beating the colts on the way. However, when the Irsay team signed the botter in 2006, it helped change the fortune of the two teams, while Viniatieri launched the game winner against the Patriots in the AFC championship match this year to send the colts to the Super Bowl.
“My heart is broken to hear the death of Jim Irsay. He was more than a simple owner, he as a man of the people and his generosity was unrivaled. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have played under his direction, and his impact on my life. Rest in peace, Jim,” wrote Viniatieri.
The former Colts Star, Ty Hilton, who played for the Irsay team from 2012 to 2021, making four pro Bowls, shared his love for Irsay in a post on X Wednesday evening.
“Please don’t ask me if I’m fine. Because I’m not. Thank you very much sir.
Several other current professional athletes have also paid tribute to the owner on social networks, notably Robert Griffin III and the son of the former receiver of the legendary colts Marvin Harrison, Marvin Harrison Jr.
Irsay’s father Bought the team In 1972, when they still played Baltimore, for $ 12 million and moved the team in 1984. Irsay was the team managing the team from 1982 to 1996 and became the youngest owner of the NFL at 37, shortly after the death of his father in 1997.
Irsay has had several health problems over the years and has fought against drug and alcohol dependence, admitting once it had been in rehabilitation “at least 15 times”.
The colts announced in January 2024 thatrsy was treated for a “serious respiratory disease”. In February, he posted on X that he was “In the process of healing.”
The quarter of the Indianapolis colts, Peyton Manning, n ° 18, on the left, and the owner Jim Irsay are victorious after having beaten the New York jets at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on January 24, 2010. (Al Tielemans / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images)
“It’s a long road, and you must be patient. The good news is that everything is going well”, a hospitalized Irsay said that March After undergoing a procedure on his right leg.
Irsay said that he had undergone “26 surgeries in the past seven years”.
During his mandate performing the daily operations of the organization, Irsay won 258 games, the fourth largest number of the NFL during this period. He also won 10 division titles, went 1-1 in the Super Bowls and made the playoffs 18 times.
He is survived by three daughters and 10 grandchildren. He and his ex-wife divorced in 2013.
