Doyel: Emotional week: Mourning Jim Irsay, honoring Herb Simon, tracking Tyrese Haliburton

Indianapolis Star

19 hours ago

Here comes a peek behind the curtain, as I call these occasional notes – these glimpses into the way I do my job – I share with my text message group here for IndyStar readers
Colts owner Jim Irsay died a few weeks ago, as you know, and his funeral was last week. It was closed to the public, but I was invited. An honor? Put it like this: The Pacers won the Eastern Conference Finals in six games, but had there been a Game 7 in New York, it would have conflicted with the funeral – and my bosses and I agreed:
Go to the funeral, not to NYC.
What I wrote showed sides of Mr. Irsay most people didn't know about, or went deeper into areas most people knew about only on the surface. And I include myself among 'most people.' Ten people spoke at the funeral – including one former Colt, all three of his daughters, a childhood friend, and a local man Mr. Irsay met at a 12-step meeting – and I learned so much more than I thought I knew.
In the here and now, I realize the Pacers are in the 2025 NBA Finals and the funeral was last week, but again – I was prioritizing the funeral over Game7 in New York City. I'm definitely prioritizing it, here, as the most important part of this week's Mailbagg.
From: Randy R.
You made me feel as if I were at Jim's funeral. Along the way you told me words about the man I would have otherwise never known – a good man whose death I now grieve. You dove deep and returned with pearls. I also discovered that I love everything Jim Irsay loved. He was not your typical professional sports team owner, unless there are other stories out there yet to be told.
My oh my, Randy. Talk about pearls. This is a beautiful note. Thank you.
From: Jim L.
Seems to me that, while Jim Irsay's contributions to our community were recognized, the breadth and depth of the void will be felt in the future. Maybe best summarized by Joni Mitchell:
Don't it always seem to goThat you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?
There will never be another Jim Irsay, not here or anywhere else, but I have faith that his daughters will carry his legacy. This is a family that cares about our state, our city, our marginalized.
From: Tim B.
I'm stunned and in tears. What a lovely tribute.
Thank you Tim. Like the story I wrote after Tyler Trent died in 2018, I got through the writing of this story just fine. I compartmentalize when I write. But when I finish, I cry too.
From: Jan C.
Coming from an alcoholic home, it's hard for others to grasp how loving and fun that dad can also be. And our family secrets really weren't secrets.
Thank you Gregg for putting the experience into words. Pointing out his love of everyone that crossed his path is such a good reminder to me how I can do better each day.
Might start crying here, Jan.
From: Leigh H.
I happened to have a volunteer training at St Luke's after the ceremony. I took a moment in the parking lot to read your piece and wish him Godspeed. What a final kindness for his family to share part of today with all of us through you.
I was thinking over the weekend how lucky we are for the Simon family's enduring contribution to our city's sports scene as well. We as a city should always be grateful for the commitments of both families, and for their generosity to the needy among us. Would that we each could reflect that spirit to our neighbors just a little in the coming week.
Your first sentence suggested you have large heart. Every sentence that followed was confirmation.
From: Jolene M.
Thank you for weaving together the complex threads of Jim Irsay's life into a lovely tapestry. I know you weren't responsible for what was included in the private service, but you made it come of life for those of us who were not there. RIP, Jim Irsay, God Speed.
Thank you Jolene. That room was a special place to be. John Mellencamp, Pete Ward, his daughters, Edgerrin James, the friend from a 12-step program … an incredible scene. I wanted to share it.
Doyel on Jim Irsay's death: Jim Irsay died and we're less for it; Indianapolis, the Colts, all of us
Doyel on the funeral: Irsay loved his daughters, his Colts, his music, his city
Re-live the Pacers' unbelievable run to the NBA Finals with our commemorative book
From: Chris B.
Rick Carlisle is a class act, from any perspective. Your story finally clears up the muddy media trolling I'd been reading about. As usual, your writing, as well as Carlisle's ethics, touch a positive emotional chord in my heart.
I'm an expert on trolling, or at least, on trolls. Immersed in them. Surrounded by them. Praying for them, if you can believe it.
From: Rick W.
"That cesspool of malice and misogyny." Well written, Gregg!
That was a reference to Twitter. And anywhere else the trolls, incels and losers congregate. I say prayerfully.
From: Kathy M.
I didn't know all that and you really told it well. Thank you so much for all this IN ADDITION to your other article.
Not planned. I was walking to the locker room and walked past Doris. We met eyes and she nodded – we've known each other for 20 years, because of our shared college basketball experience – and I walked past. Then I thought:
Dummy, THAT'S the story. Go back!
So glad I did.
From: Rick P.
Just finished your heartfelt column on Carlisle/Burke. I'm not crying, you are!
So very glad I did.
Doyel: The story behind the story of Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defending ESPN Doris Burke
On Game 1, where Tyrese Haliburton hit his fourth last-second shot of these playoffs…
From: David M.
Can we Pacers faithful send a group thank you to all the NBA players who voted Tyrese as "Most Overrated" and who are now lying on a beach somewhere with an umbrella drink watching the Finals on TV for their obvious motivation for what he's accomplished in these playoffs?
Absolutely.
From: Larry J.
Can we just officially proclaim him "Houdini Haliburton?
Now that's interesting, Larry. You wrote this after Game 1. But it was Game 2 where my lede was:
'This is the Tyrese Haliburton experience: Sometimes, most of the time, he pulls a rabbit out of a hat. But sometimes, other times, he makes himself disappear. Don't try to understand it, because he doesn't. If he did, you think this would happen? Those first three-plus quarters of the Indiana Pacers' 123-107 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals?'
And my kicker was … well you'll see. Chef's kiss! Not printing this.
More from readers on Game 2…
From: Tom S.
Oh my goodness. What a lede! Spot-on & dad-joke!!
Wait. How can it be great AND a dad-joke? And who says what I wrote about the rabbit, etc., was a dad-joke?
And why are we hyphenating dad-joke?
From: Craig E.
You gotta like Carlisle. What other NBA coach calls his team an 'ecosystem'?
Between he and Kevin Pritchard, there's a lot of IQ there. I wonder if they'd hyphenate dad-joke?
From: Paul J.
If any loss was a team loss, it was last night. To choose one player to blame is easy journalism, in my opinion. I agree with you 75% of the time, but not this time
I hear you Paul. Not sure I was BLAMING Haliburton. Just pointing out the vast difference between his impact on Game 1 and Game 2. And when you're the only Olympian on the team, frankly, what I pointed out was fair.
And listen to me: If you think it's 'easy' to criticize Tyrese Haliburton in this market – or frankly, any pro athlete in this market – I'd ask you to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. Not mine, of course. I'm a rock!
Not printing this either.
Doyel on Game 1: Pacers never give up, have a star who doesn't miss in clutch time
Doyel on Houdini Haliburton: This one-man NBA playoff run has been borderline impossible
Doyel on Game 2: After pulling rabbit from Game 1 hat, Haliburton disappeared much of Game 2
From: Robert J.
Yep, Haliburton can be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Maddening at times how extreme the differences in his play are at times.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, we expect more from others and demand consistent high performance from our surgeons, chefs, teachers, pilots, linemen, engineers, etcetera, and especially our sports columnists. Thankfully, you consistently meet and exceed expectations and high performance, and at a salary that is a fraction of what the sport stars make.
I love this ecosystem! Did I use that write?
Not printing this.
Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar. Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.