AN INDIANAPOLIS Colts icon and current coach shared a tearful tribute while reflecting on the loss of owner Jim Irsay.
The longtime Colts owner Irsay died suddenly at the age of 65 last week.
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Longtime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died shockingly at the age of 65 last weekCredit: Getty
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Colts coach and team legend Reggie Wayne was emotional over Irsay’s death during a press conferenceCredit: 8 News
The Colts family has continued to reel after the shocking death of Irsay last Wednesday.
Colts’ legendary wide receiver and current receivers coach Reggie Wayne was full of emotion when speaking about Irsay during the team’s OTA practice on Wednesday.
Wayne knew Irsay as he played under him during his 14 years as a player.
“A lot of y’all don’t really know him,” Wayne told reporters at a press conference as he fought back tears.
“He would have did anything for anybody. He really gave the clothes off his back.
“He cared about his players. He cared about his team.
“And it wasn’t just the players, he cared about people in the building.
“He was that dude.”
Wayne added that everyone needed “to push their ass for him” and for his players to read about him.
A 2001 Colts first-round pick, Wayne earned six Pro Bowl nods and caught passes from the Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
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Wayne was part of a Super Bowl 41-winning squad in 2007.
He played his last season in 2014 and retired two years later.
Irsay added him to the team’s Ring of Honor in 2018.
In 2022, Wayne returned to the Colts as their receivers coach.
The franchise revealed a special patch they’ll wear on their jersey in memory of Irsay for the upcoming season.
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Wayne has been the Colts’ wide receivers coach since 2022Credit: Getty
The patch will feature his initials and signature with his trademark smiley face.
The Colts also shared that there will be a private ceremony for Irsay next week.
Irsay, who took over the team’s ownership after his father died in 1997, died peacefully in his sleep on May 21.
His children will claim ownership of the team moving forward.
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Wayne made the Pro Bowl six times and earned two Second-team All-Pro nods during his Colts tenureCredit: Getty