Peyton Manning Remembers Jim Irsay’s Impact in Indianapolis
In 2013, when legendary quarterback Peyton Manning left the Indianapolis Colts, the city he found in 1998 had changed radically. Manning’s and the team’s success transformed the city into a sports epicenter, but Manning highlighted Jim Irsay as the main architect of this change.
Irsay, owner of the Colts since 1997, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 65. Manning, recalling the evolution of Indianapolis under Irsay’s leadership, shared his memories.
When I got there, Indiana basketball, racing, and the Indy 500 were the main thing. I think football was the third sport. Maybe not. Golf might have been in there. And all of a sudden, because of Jim’s commitment to winning… he hires Bill Polian, who had rebuilt the Buffalo Bills, had started the Carolina Panthers as a new franchise, takes them to the NFC Championship, then drafts Edgerrin James, obviously re-signs Marvin Harrison, who was already there. And all of a sudden, the Colts are all of a sudden, ‘Hey, the Colts are beating Miami, they’re beating Buffalo, they’re winning their division. And all of a sudden, hey, the Colts are for real.
Peyton Manning
This strategy fueled a remarkable transformation, turning Indianapolis into a city obsessed with football. The passion for football soared at all levels, from high schools to professional stadiums.
In the early 2000s, the Colts considered the possibility of moving the franchise. Manning recalled that Irsay always wished to remain in Indianapolis, and his vision materialized with the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium.
After the 2006 season, the Colts won Super Bowl XLI, solidifying their status. Two years later, they inaugurated their new stadium, which secured Indianapolis’s future as a host for major sporting events, such as the Final Four, and allowed them to host their only Super Bowl in February 2012.
Manning, who had a significant relationship with Irsay, despite the difficult decision to release him in 2012, expressed his gratitude. He said he would always be in debt to Irsay for giving him the opportunity to start his career.
Manning added that Irsay cared about his community, his family and, above all, the Colts. He considered that a great legacy.
