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“NFL-FAREWELL”
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The end came quickly for the owner of the Colts, but many within the inner circle knew Jim irsay’s life as owner of the NFL team was reaching the end of the road.
Very ill, confined to a wheelchair, a body that was breaking down at age 65, because of health issues, drug and alcohol problems.
But his spirit was never broken as his health declined.
He left behind a special relationship with Colts players and employees. Even more, a special relationship with Civic charities, government causes and the common fan.
History may write a free spirit owner, always living on the edge, and a man of many interests.
I interviewed him a couple of times, and found him a ‘Rubik’s Cube personality’, but the more you talk to people, you found out about his diverse, dynamic approach to life.
From NFL owner, to rock and roll aficionado, to museum collector, to charitable causes, to a stand up guy.
The son of a raging alcoholic, Robert Irsay, who moved the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis in the middle of the night, Jim Irsay tried to distance himself from all the trauma he grew up in that household, a mad man as a parent, fraught with problems and bad genes he inherited.
And despite his own demons, Jim Irsay became his own person, and his touch-touched alot of people.
Included was his influence to help create NFL-free agency and the salary cap that has made everyone rich.
And he was the one who stood up to Daniel Snyder-owner of the Washington Redskins, and pointed a finger, that Snyder did not represent what the NFL Shield stood for, and he wanted him out. This came after Snyder had sounded off he had ‘dirt’ on Commissioner Roger Goodell and alot of owners. At which point Irsay said ‘no dirt on me-I know my demons and so do my friends.
And with that Snyder was voted out, taking his toxic workplace environment, lawsuits and losers record, leaving the USA for London, England.
Many people have sounded off since the Friday passing of Irsay, from superstars he treated so well (Peyton Manning) to coaches he loved (Tony Dungy) and coaches he fired (Frank Reich).
A compilation of quotes from people in and around Indianapolis about Jim irsay:
..COLTS LOST A LIFER..INDY LOST AN ICON
..JIM LOVED COLTS WITH WHOLE HEART
..FIERCE COMPETITOR-IMMENSE COMPASSION
..TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED-NOT READY
..MY SOUL HURTS
..MAN OF THE PEOPLE-GENEROSITY UNMATCHED
..FOREVER CLOSE TO MY HEART
..GAME BALL OF A PERSON
..LOVED FAMILY-TEAM-COMMUNITY
He lived life on his own terms. Took blame where warranted. Gave back constantly.
Diverse-dyanmic.. Destined now to forever be remembered in Indianapolis
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