“Rest Easy”: Anthony Richardson Mourns $5.8B Rich Colts Owner’s Death With Tom Brady & Peyton Manning

“Special. Sparkle in his eye. His energy — I’ve seen a lot of young guys come into this league, and I tell you, that young man has something special in his heart and spirit and soul. I know he wants to be great.” That’s what Jim Irsay said about Anthony Richardson. He didn’t say it after a Pro Bowl season or following a playoff run. He said it before Richardson even took a single NFL snap. Many questioned if the raw Florida prospect even deserved to be a top-five choice at the time. But for Irsay, the choice was obvious; Richardson was more than a quarterback. He was the future.

Anthony Richardson, who was selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, was a risk-reward proposition. But more significantly, he stood for belief, the kind of belief Irsay had held because he perceived something “special” in him. Now, after two years, no one thought Richardson would have to return that belief at such a moment: the death of the guy who recognized his potential before anybody else.

After years of health issues, long-time Colts owner Jim Irsay passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, May 21. He was 65 years old. The man who transformed Anthony Richardson into a franchise focal point, who transformed the Colts into champions, and who once lit up the owner’s meetings with his guitar and vision is no longer with us, but he will never be forgotten. That was something Richardson ensured. Richardson posted a three-photo collage on his Instagram account as a heartfelt remembrance: One photo of a handshake. One of a hug. And one with Richardson holding his Colts No. 1 jersey, standing next to Irsay, the man who placed the wager. The caption: “Wow. Rest easy big guy! ”

Jim Irsay was a young boy picking up jock straps off the Colts’ locker room floor before he ever selected Peyton Manning in the draft or won a Super Bowl trophy. At the age of 11, to feel involved in the game, he worked odd jobs like towel runner and ball boy while hanging around the team his father owned. He boxed and played football throughout high school, but an ankle injury at SMU cut his athletic career short. Still, football never let him go.

He returned to the executive office of the Colts just as the team was relocating from Baltimore to Indianapolis after earning his degree in journalism. Jim embraced his father’s decision to appoint him as GM and vice president, in part to save money. At 37, he had already mastered the business by the time he became the youngest sole owner in NFL history. He made the crucial decision to pick Peyton Manning in 1998. They brought the Lombardi home eight years later. Therefore, it was more than just the loss of an owner when word broke out that Jim Irsay had died. It was the loss of someone who was the Colts.

After Anthony Richardson’s heartfelt tribute, the NFL mourns Jim Irsay’s death

The NFL lost more than an owner. It lost a heartbeat. A disruptor. Hence, the tributes came pouring in. The Colts organization bears Irsay’s fingerprints on every brick and banner. So, in remembrance of the man who guided them for more than 20 years, they released an emotional statement. “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… He wanted to make the world a better place, and that philosophy never wavered.”

Long-time rivals like the Las Vegas Raiders also paid their respects with a heartfelt statement, demonstrating that Irsay’s impact extended beyond Indianapolis. “The Raiders Family was saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Irsay… Jim’s love of the Colts and appreciation for the NFL was evident in his tireless efforts to promote and improve the game… His commitment to the Indianapolis community and generosity in his philanthropic efforts touched countless lives.” The statement speaks volumes because it’s one thing when your team respects you, but when rivals also show love and respect, it proves the kind of human being Irsay was.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined the chorus from the league office, emphasising Irsay’s humanity along with his economic savvy: “Jim was a friend, and a man deeply committed to his family, the game, the Colts and the Indianapolis community… On behalf of the entire NFL, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Jim’s daughters and their families, and to his many friends throughout the NFL.”

Jim Irsay left behind more than just the Lucas Oil Stadium skyline, the 2006 Super Bowl banner, and the more than $25 million in charitable contributions. He left behind a legacy in the players who called him family, the coaches, and the quarterbacks he trusted. His vulnerability lies in his battle with addiction, near-fatal overdoses, and his decision to be open and giving, particularly in the areas of addiction awareness and mental health.

He wasn’t flawless or perfect, but he was genuine. A man who once made a rookie a believer and a franchise a home. Finally, Anthony Richardson’s subdued farewell, “Rest easy, big guy,” might have stated it best.

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