Peyton Manning described the passing of Colts owner Jim Irsay as “heartbreaking” in a post on social media memorializing the late football owner.
Irsay died in his sleep at the age of 65 on Wednesday afternoon, the Colts announced, shocking and saddening the football world.
Manning was drafted by the Colts first overall in 1998, a year after Irsay took over as owner of the team, and spent 13 years with the organization, winning four MVPs and a Super Bowl title in 2007.
“I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing,” Manning wrote in a post on Instagram. “He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL. His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, rest in peace my friend.”
The post was accompanied by a pair of photos of Irsay and Manning together.
Irsay was at the center of the decision to move on from Manning in 2012 and in an emotional press conference with Manning, Irsay called it “a difficult day here of shared pain between Peyton, myself, the fans — everyone.”
Others in the NFL have also reacted to the passing, with the Commanders, Jets and Bears all issuing statements of condolences.
Even the Pacers released a statement on Wednesday night during Game 1 of their playoff series against the Knicks.
Irsay had posted Wednesday morning a message of support for the Pacers on social media, presumably hours before his passing.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Jim Irsay,” Pacers Sports & Entertainment Owner Herb Simon and the Simon Family said in a statement. “Jim took the time today to cheer us on – he was more than the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, he was a transformative figure in our city and state, a passionate advocate for the community, and someone whose generosity, vision and spirit touched countless lives. Jim helped shape our city into the sports capital it is today, and his legacy, both on and off the field, will continue to inspire us and generations to come.”
The condolences even came from outside the sports world with PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman mourning the loss of Irsay, who donated to animal-related causes.
“From pledging $20 million to liberate Lolita the orca from her concrete prison, to renovating his private jet with exclusively animal-free materials, to turning Lucas Oil Stadium into one of the most vegan-friendly sports venues in the nation, Jim Irsay proved time and again that he had a heart the size of a football field. PETA and the animals lost a hero today, but Jim’s legacy of kindness and generosity will live on,” Reiman said.