NFL commissioner Roger Goodell releases heartfelt statement on Jim Irsay passing

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement on the passing of longtime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay on Wednesday evening. Irsay, 65, passed away in his sleep Wednesday afternoon, the team announced.

“We were deeply saddened to learn of Jim Irsay’s passing today. Jim was a friend, and a man deeply committed to his family, the game, the Colts, and the Indianapolis community,” Goodell’s statement read. “He spent his life and career in the National Football League. Starting as a teenager as a Colts’ ballboy, he learned every position in the organization before assuming leadership of the Colts approximately 30 years ago. Jim’s Colts won the Super Bowl, hosted another and build Lucas Oil Stadium.

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— NFL (@NFL) May 22, 2025

“Within the League, Jim was an active Chairman of the Legislative Committee and member of the Finance Committee. He led with integrity, passion and care for the Colts’ players, coaches and staff, and his courageous work in support of mental health will be a lasting legacy. Outside of football, he was a talented musician and built an extraordinary collection of historical and musical artifacts that he shared with people across the country. On behalf of the entire NFL, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Jim’s daughters and their families, and to his many friends throughout the NFL.”

Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO, dies at 65

The Indianapolis Colts announced the passing of their team owner and CEO Jim Irsay in a statement Wednesday evening.

“Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed,” the Colts said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Charlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.”

Jim Irsay began his affiliation with the Colts in 1972, when he father, Robert Irsay, purchased the team. At that time, the Colts were in Baltimore, and the younger Irsay worked in every department. In 1984, Jim Irsay became the Colts’ general manager when the team moved to Indianapolis. He assumed day-to-day operations in 1995 when he father suffered a stroke. In 1997, Irsay became the owner at the age of 37 after his father died.

In his 28 seasons as owner, Irsay saw the Colts win 10 division titles, play in two Super Bowls and win the Super Bowl title during the 2006 season.

Jim Irsay sent a message to Colts fans in January

In January, Irsay wrote a letter to Colts fans about the team’s challenging 2024 season.

“There’s a high standard in this city for our team and anyone who steps on the field wearing the Horseshoe,” Irsay wrote. “The expectation is to win our division and compete for championships. Just being on the doorstep of the playoffs is not the standard I expect, nor what you deserve. We understand that and always accept the challenge.

“Believe me, I know you share my impatience and frustration. I know you invest your time, energy, and money into the Colts every year. More than anything, we want to reward you with division titles and playoff runs, and we’ve fallen short in the most painful ways possible. But things evolve quickly in the NFL from week to week and season to season, so I will never stop being optimistic that this team can take the next step!”

Jim Irsay was born on June 13, 1959 in Lincolnwood, Illinois. He attended high school at Loyola Academy and went to college at SMU where he walked on the football team as a linebacker in 1978.

— On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this report.