The NFL lost a giant this week — and not the kind that just shows up in luxury boxes. Jim Irsay, the longtime owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, passed away in his sleep at the age of 65. Known for his bold moves, bigger personality, and a life that rarely followed the script, Irsay leaves behind a legacy that’s hard to put in a box.
And when Good Morning Football’s Kyle Brandt tried to capture it, he said it best.
“Jim Irsay was the closest thing we had to Tony Stark in the NFL.”
Kyle Brandt on Irsay: “Not Just a Suit in a Suite”
Brandt took a moment on national television to reflect on Irsay’s life. The tribute was raw, heartfelt, and very human.
“The closest thing to Tony Stark in the NFL”
Thoughts on Jim Irsay pic.twitter.com/9LGHdypVfE
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt)
“He passed away in his sleep at the age of 65,” Brandt said. “And for those of us who’ve watched him for decades, it’s incredibly sad news.”
Brandt didn’t just focus on Irsay’s resume. He painted a picture of a man who never quite fit the mold and didn’t seem interested in trying to.
“He had this image of the hippie, flower child, rock star owner,” Brandt added. “He became the youngest owner at 37 years old. And I really do think Jim Irsay was the closest thing we had to Tony Stark in the NFL.”
Unlike many team owners, Irsay didn’t try to maintain a polished public image. He was messy, loud, generous, and at times vulnerable. According to Brandt, that’s exactly what made him connect with fans.
“I think it was because of his flaws,” Brandt said. “Jim Irsay was not just a suit in a suite. He’d been through some stuff, and again, that’s relatable.”
Irsay Had Been Battling Serious Health Issues
Though the team has not released an official cause of death, Irsay’s health struggles were no secret. In late 2023, he was hospitalized due to a serious respiratory issue, one of several problems he’d been dealing with in recent years.
The Colts released a heartfelt statement following his death:
“We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon. 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. Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.”
Ownership of the team is expected to pass to his daughters, who’ve long been involved in the organization.
A Lifelong Football Life: Not Just a Business
Irsay didn’t just inherit a franchise, he lived it. From riding the team bus as a teenager in the ’70s to stepping into the front office during the early 1980s, his path to ownership was shaped by decades inside the Colts organization.
A former linebacker at SMU and a graduate in broadcast journalism, Irsay officially took over the team after his father died in 1997. He went on to oversee one of the most successful stretches in franchise history, including the drafting of quarterback Peyton Manning and a Super Bowl win.
But his legacy wasn’t built only on trophies.
“He drafted Peyton Manning,” Brandt said. “And he also owned Kurt Cobain’s guitar from Smells Like Teen Spirit. He owned Secretariat’s saddle. He bought wild, iconic stuff. And I think a lot of us, when we wonder what we’d do if we were billionaires, he lived that dream.”
A One-of-One Personality
There was no one else like Irsay. He didn’t try to play it safe. He didn’t hide his quirks. And that’s exactly what made him one of the most memorable figures the league has ever seen.
“Some owners may be successful or even beloved,” Brandt said, “but they’re not relatable. Their lives are so different. But I think Jim Irsay was.”
Brandt finished his tribute by calling Irsay “an original, imperfect, Super Bowl-winning owner.”
And that’s exactly what he was.