Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died peacefully in his sleep on May 21 at the age of 65. The news, shared by the team, shook the Colts’ extended family — particularly Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy.
Dungy, who coached the Colts from 2002 to 2008 and brought the franchise its only Lombardi Trophy, called Irsay’s death “devastating.” But beyond football, Dungy’s words reflected a deep personal loss — of a friend, a mentor, and someone he said “did things out of the goodness of his heart.”
Tony Dungy Remembers Jim Irsay’s Compassionate Legacy
Irsay wasn’t just an owner, not to the people who knew him best.
“Jim was one of the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever known,” Dungy wrote in a heartfelt tribute on X. “He was awesome to me and my family. He was a blessing to his players and staff … He did so many things for others—more things than you could imagine… He was a special man and I couldn’t have worked for a better owner.”
Dungy, who went 85-27 during his six-year run with the Colts, said the news came as a gut punch.
“Something that was unexpected and obviously a very sad moment for our family as well as all the Colts family,” he said in an interview. “Just hard to believe.”
When I got the news last night that Jim Irsay had passed away in his sleep it was devastating to me. The Bible says in many places that tomorrow is not promised to us but I wasn’t ready for this.
Jim was one of the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever known. He was… pic.twitter.com/Gf7qNXCTPD— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy)
Irsay had been the sole owner of the Colts since 1997 following the death of his father, Robert Irsay. While his father led the team during its days in Baltimore, Jim’s life and legacy were all about building something lasting in Indianapolis.
And that’s exactly what he did.
Irsay’s Vision Went Beyond Wins and Losses
Dungy recalled his first call with Irsay vividly. Not because it was about championships or contracts, but because of the vision he laid out for the Colts and the city.
“He wanted us to be good, obviously, but he wanted to connect with the fan base. He wanted to impact the city. He wanted to win, but do it the right way,” he said.
That wasn’t just talk. Under Irsay, the Colts built something more than a football team — they built a brotherhood. The bond between ownership, the locker room, and the community became one of the defining features of the franchise throughout the 2000s.
“I think Lucas Oil Stadium was his dream,” Dungy said. “He wanted the team to stay in Indianapolis, and that stadium has become more than a home for the Colts — it’s a hub for the city.”
Away from the cameras and press releases, Dungy said Irsay had an even deeper impact — one most fans never got to see.
“He did so many things behind the scenes for not only our players and our staff, but for the city and for individuals that people would never even hear about. He just did them under the radar,” Dungy stated.
The Irsay Family Legacy Carries On
Irsay’s daughters — Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson — are expected to take over ownership of the team, continuing a legacy deeply rooted in football and family.
“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 team wrote in its official statement.
From riding team buses as a teenager in the 1970s to turning Indianapolis into a football town, Irsay’s life was built around the game. He played linebacker at SMU, earned a degree in broadcast journalism, and joined the Colts’ front office in the early 1980s — long before taking full control of the team.
“Some of Jim’s fondest memories came from his youth working training camps in Baltimore,” the team said. “He considered coaches, players, and staff his extended family.”
That spirit carried through decades of leadership and, as Dungy made clear, left a mark on everyone it touched.