Peyton Manning sends heartfelt message on passing of Jim Irsay

The football world received some heartbreaking news Wednesday as it was reported that Indianapolis Colts owners and CEO Jim Irsay passed away at 65. That led to an outpouring of condolences on social media, including from former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

Irsay and the Colts selected Manning with the No. 1 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft and the QB played the first 13 years of his career with the franchise. He and Irsay won a Super Bowl together in the 2006 season. That’s the type of things that bonds people for life, and Manning offered a heartfelt remembrance of Irsay on his Instagram page.

“I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing,” Manning wrote. “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.”

Irsay began his affiliation with the Colts in 1972, when his 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 his father suffered a stroke. In 1997, Irsay became the owner at 37 after his father died.

Irsay and Manning won eight division titles together during their time in Indianapolis while Irsay won 10 overall. In addition to the Super Bowl victory in 2006, the pair also have a Super Bowl appearance from the 2009 season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell releases heartfelt statement on Jim Irsay passing

Manning was far from the only one in the NFL community to acknowledge the passing of Irsay, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement.

“We were deeply saddedned 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.

“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.”

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report.