© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Pat McAfee has reacted to the death of Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. On Wednesday night, the Colts revealed that Irsay had passed away in his sleep at the age of 65.
“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.”
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 21, 2025
Hours after Irsay’s passing, McAfee, a close friend of Irsay after playing for the Colts, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media.
“This is devastating.”
“Jim had friendships with a lot of his former players.. I was lucky to be one of them.”
“Playing for a team that Mr Irsay ran was an honor. He was funny, brilliant, unique, and somehow still wildly relatable for a man who became the sole owner of an NFL team at the age of 37.. and before that, hired as the youngest general manager in the history of the league as a 24 year old.”
“He battled his demons, as we all do but, God blessed Jim Irsay with an abundance of compassion.. he wanted to give back/help everybody and everything he saw or knew about…”
McAfee revealed his conversation with Irsay when he decided to retire from football to pursue a media career.
“When I decided to retire.. he and I had a 2.5 hour conversation in his office. He was sitting at his desk.. hitting the sh– out of his vape .. and we talked about everything I was hoping to go do.”
“He tried to stop me for a few minutes.. even offered to renegotiate my contract.. and then once he realized my decision was made.. the convo turned into him trying to give me as much game as possible about running a business and maintaining authenticity. He gave me quotes and words to live by.. told me stories of mistakes he and others had made and he promised he would do anything he could to help me in my venture.”
“If for some reason this doesn’t work or you don’t want to do it anymore, you’ll always have a job here at the Colts. You are family.”
“Jim was a real one.. and we will all miss the sh– out of him.”
“I send my positive prayers and vibes to his daughters, his grandkids, his loved ones, his staff, and everybody who has been working with Jim for the last 40 years.”
“Thank you for EVERYTHING big man.. You were a damn legend.”
“Rest Easy, brother.”
This is devastating..
Jim had friendships with a lot of his former players.. I was lucky to be one of them.
Playing for a team that Mr Irsay ran was an honor. He was funny, brilliant, unique, and somehow still wildly relatable for a man who became the sole owner of an NFL team… https://t.co/9dOUFziJJe pic.twitter.com/sVOT49ne3D
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 22, 2025