Jim Irsay’s death stunned the sports world on May 21. The Indianapolis Colts owner died peacefully in his sleep, according to an official Colts statement. Upon learning news of his passing, people from every corner of the NFL world took a moment to pay their respects.
Anthony Richardson joined the long list of Irsay’s current and past colleagues who took the time to acknowledge his death. Here’s a look at what the Colts quarterback said on social media.
Jim Irsay’s Death Sparks Anthony Richardson’s Response
Taking to Instagram following the tragic news, Richardson posted a collage of three pictures with himself and the owner on his story post. He also included a brief message.
“Wow. Rest easy big guy,” Richardson said in the text with a broken heart emoji.
The images appeared to be of Irsay and Richardson from around the time the Colts drafted the former Florida Gators QB in 2023. Richardson is seen hugging the owner in one photo and posing with him with his jersey while wearing a Colts hat.
The quarterback position is often a position in which owners require input before the franchise makes a move. As such, the odds were high that Richardson joining the Colts could be traced back to the owner himself.
As such, more than many, Richardson had reason to give his respects.
Irsay’s Death Leaves Tsunami of Questions for Colts’ Future
At the end of the day, a team’s direction almost always comes from the owner. General managers and quarterbacks can change, but ownership rarely does. With Irsay’s passing, seemingly everything is in question for the franchise.
Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen stepped down due to Alzheimer’s in 2014, according to ESPN. This prompted a nearly decade-long wait to learn who the next owners would be. In the meantime, the Broncos slipped into the doldrums of the AFC.
Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder sold the team in 2023 after a multi-decade drought without a conference championship appearance, alongside numerous controversies and investigations. The new owner, Josh Harris, got the Commanders into the NFC Championship Game the following year.
Put simply, the outcomes of an owner’s death run the gamut. Questions about where the team will play in the coming years could be on the table, emphasizing the power owners have over their teams.
Richardson has a quarterback competition with Daniel Jones to ensure his longevity. However, the future of the QB competition is one of the smaller questions in the grand scale of what Indianapolis is about to embark on.