Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has died at age 65, the team announced Wednesday.
Irsay served as the club’s vice president/general manager from 1984-1996 before taking over as owner/chairman/CEO in 1997, one year before the Colts used the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft to select quarterback Peyton Manning.
Manning won four NFL MVP awards in Indianapolis and helped the Colts reach two Super Bowls, winning a title following the 2006 season. The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback released the following statement on his Instagram page following Irsay’s death:
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, #18
After undergoing three neck surgeries in 19 months, Manning was released by Irsay in 2011. Manning went on to sign with the Denver Broncos, and he won a second Super Bowl in 2015 before retiring in 2016.
In a 2013 interview with USA TODAY, Irsay indicated he had no regrets after moving on from Peyton and drafting Andrew Luck (he walked that back later, saying his comments were misperceived).
Manning has lived in Colorado after retiring from the NFL in 2016, and he frequently attends Broncos games and is a regular guest at their facility. He has not been as closely connected to the Colts, but he did return to Indianapolis in 2017 to be added to the team’s Ring of Honor.
The Colts unveiled a statue of Manning outside their stadium in 2017, and the former quarterback said, “I will always be a Colt” at the ceremony.