Colts legend Reggie Wayne reflects on life, legacy of Jim Irsay as Indianapolis begins OTAs

New York Times

6 days ago

INDIANAPOLIS — The emotional dam had held up well, but the final question made it crack.
Former Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who is now the team's receivers coach, tried to hold back his tears Wednesday as he stood before the media. He'd just been asked what he wanted his pupils to know about former team owner Jim Irsay, who died last week. Wayne doubled over, clinched the lectern and muttered under his breath, 'That's why I ain't wanna do this s—,' as he gathered his thoughts.
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When Wayne raised his head, he opened his heart.
'He cared about his players. He cared about his team. He cared about the city,' Wayne said as tears streamed down his face. 'And it wasn't just about the players, he cared about people in the building. He was that dude. And I told them, I said straight up, 'Man, y'all don't really know him, but y'all gotta bust y'all ass for him.
''Because he would've did that for y'all.''
Wayne spoke for over four minutes when responding to that final question of his media session that, despite it being the first day of offseason training activities, was all about Irsay. Wednesday marked the first time the team had been made available to the media since Irsay's death, and for one day, Wayne traded in his usually tough exterior for a chance to be vulnerable about Irsay, who 'treated me like I was one of his sons,' instead of one of his employees.
"He's that dude." #ThankYouJimIrsay pic.twitter.com/dTLMtDLPym
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 28, 2025
Wayne said Irsay always showed players the utmost respect, perhaps because of the titles he once wore before calling himself an owner. Irsay started as a Colts ball boy, and he'd later become the NFL's youngest GM at 24 and youngest owner at 37 after his dad, Robert, died in 1997.
'Y'all got homework to do, man,' Wayne remembers telling his receivers about Irsay. 'Read about him. Learn about him, so you'll really know the type of person he was.'
But some stuff can't be found in a book or via a Google search, like the story Wayne told Wednesday about a contract negotiation he had with Irsay in 2012. Wayne was a free agent and was seriously considering heading to another franchise until he got a direct call from Irsay. The two came to an agreement on a three-year pact worth $17.5 million that kept Wayne in Indianapolis.
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'I actually did that deal with (Irsay) by myself. I gave my agent 3 percent and I don't even know why!' Wayne said, laughing through the tears. 'But then once I come here and re-sign … he said, 'You know what? You could've asked for ($30 million), and I would've gave it to you.' I said, 'Damn!''
Wayne flashed a wide smile as he reflected on that moment and the overall life and legacy of Irsay. The former star receiver first met Irsay in 2001, when the Colts selected the 22-year-old Wayne in the first round of the draft. Twenty-four years, six Pro Bowls and one Super Bowl victory later, Wayne is preparing for his fourth season as the Colts wide receivers coach. The gray hairs sticking out of his beard are reminders of how much time has passed and the sometimes-painful changes that come with it.
Wayne spoke about Irsay in the present tense a few times Wednesday, revealing just how fresh Irsay's death is to those who knew him personally. The Irsay family will have a private memorial service Monday in Indianapolis, with a public tribute to be announced at a later date.
In addition to Wayne, a few current players shared their memories of Irsay. Cornerback Kenny Moore II recalled a time when he had a death in his family during the season, and Irsay was able to 'align some travel' for him to visit his loved ones and attend the funeral. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner noted Irsay's generosity as well when looking back on a trying 2024 campaign that included a trip to IR due to a high ankle sprain.
'I mentioned wanting to go to Panama to get some stem cell treatment for my ankle … and it wasn't even a flinch,' Buckner said. 'The Irsay family, obviously, they flew me out there on one of their jets, got me out there to get the treatment (and) brought me back. Just little things like that, he's willing to do whatever it takes for the organization, for those around him, for those that he cares about. And that's just the footprint that he's leaving behind.'
💙 #ThankYouJimIrsay pic.twitter.com/Q0ZoKTR78r
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 29, 2025
Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen echoed the sentiments of his players, and like Wayne, he teared up from the podium while thanking Irsay for giving him his first shot to be an NFL head coach. The Colts will wear black patches on their jerseys this season to honor Irsay, and amid a four-year playoff drought, Steichen vowed to turn the tide in 2025.
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'We're gonna win for Jim this year,' Steichen said.
The Colts' QB competition began Wednesday as Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones split first-team reps on the first day of OTAs. Richardson started under center to begin practice, and Jones was with the second unit before they flip-flopped. Steichen said that will remain the plan for all nine days of OTAs, and each QB should get about 170 first-string reps during that span.
Richardson showed flashes of brilliance Wednesday amid a few erratic throws, which has been the theme of his career. He delivered a laser to rookie tight end Tyler Warren across the middle for a first down in 7-on-7 and layered in another downfield throw near the sideline to tight end Will Mallory. But Richardson was also intercepted by linebacker Liam Anderson in 7-on-7 and badly missed an open Alec Pierce while rolling to his right. Richardson finished 8-of-14 passing in 7-on-7 and 2-of-4 in 11-on-11. Second-year receiver AD Mitchell and fourth-year tight end Jelani Woods each had a downfield drop that hindered Richardson from having a better performance.
Jones was steadier than Richardson through the air, which shouldn't come as a surprise given Jones' career 64.1 completion percentage. The ex-Giants QB was 11-of-12 passing in 7-on-7, highlighted by a deep crosser to Warren, and 5-of-5 in 11-on-11. Jones' only incompletion was when he was nearly picked off by cornerback Samuel Womack.
Warren, the Colts' first-round pick this year, certainly looked the part in his first practice with the veterans. He made a handful of catches across the middle and repeatedly gashed the defense, regardless of who was throwing him the ball.
• Star running back Jonathan Taylor is training in Florida, according to Steichen, and was not present for Wednesday's voluntary OTAs. Wide receiver Josh Downs and tight end Drew Ogletree were in attendance but did not practice due to soft tissue injuries. Linebackers Zaire Franklin (left ankle surgery) and Jaylon Carlies (shoulder surgery) were sidelined as well. Cornerback Charvarius Ward only participated in individual drills because he had been away with his family, Steichen said, and the Colts want to ease him back into team activities.
• The Colts and Ravens will have joint practice in Baltimore ahead of their preseason game Aug. 7, per Ravens coach John Harbaugh. Indianapolis will then host the Packers for joint practice before their preseason matchup Aug. 16.
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• Woods and safety Daniel Scott were back in action after both were sidelined for the last two seasons. Scott, a fifth-round pick by the Colts in 2023, tore his ACL in 2023 and tore his Achilles in 2024. Woods, a third-round pick by Indy in 2022, was plagued by hamstring issues in 2023 and sustained a season-ending toe injury during the preseason last year.
(Photo of Jim Irsay and Reggie Wayne in 2015: Joe Robbins / Getty Images)