The Indianapolis Colts and the NFL at large felt a bombshell on Wednesday when the franchise announced that owner Jim Irsay died in his sleep.
He was 65 years old, less than a month away from his 66th birthday and four months away from his 28th season as owner of the Colts. That run came after an 11-year stint as the team’s general manager under his father, Bob Irsay, who owned the franchise since its days in Baltimore.
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Irsay was a successful owner in moments, including winning the 2006 Super Bowl and creating numerous playoff runs in Indianapolis with Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck under center. He was one of the major voices in the NFL and an energetic personality off of it, from his love and collection of music to his generosity throughout the state of Indiana and beyond.
Though Irsay had dealt with a health scare that had him in intensive care a year ago and his public appearances had dwindled since, the news of his death rocked the NFL community.
Here’s what some prominent voices had to say in reaction:
MORE: Jim Irsay dies at 65: An obituary of the Colts owner
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts owner Jim Irsay dies, players, coaches reaction