Latest news with #SuperBowlXLI
Fox News
4 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Colts great Reggie Wayne fights back tears while remembering late owner Jim Irsay: 'He had the biggest heart'
Indianapolis Colts great and current wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne fought back tears during the team's first media availability on Wednesday following the death of longtime owner Jim Irsay. It was an emotional moment for Wayne, a six-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Colts' Super Bowl XLI winning team, as he spoke about his relationship with Irsay, who passed away in his sleep last week at age 65. "It's like losing a family member. There were times that I felt like [Irsay] treated me like I was one of his sons even though he didn't have any," Wayne managed a smile as he spoke to reporters. "When you lose something like that, it definitely shocks the soul." Irsay famously began his football career as a ball boy when his father first purchased the team in 1972 – when the Colts still played in Baltimore. He slowly moved up the ranks and became the youngest team owner at 37 when he took over for his father following his death in 1997. "He had the biggest heart in the city. I think we all know how caring he was, how easy he was as far as giving… I think he was definitely the heart of this city," Wayne continued. Wayne played his entire 14-year career with the Colts after being drafted out of the University of Miami with the 30th overall pick in 2001. He led the league in receiving yards in 2007, was three-time All-Pro and ranks second in franchise history for most receiving records behind Marvin Harrison. He returned to the Colts in 2022 as an assistant coach. While reminiscing about his time with Irsay, Wayne struggled to explain the message he shared with receivers after learning about Irsay's passing. "I told the receivers, I said, 'A lot of y'all don't really know him but he would've done anything for anybody. He would've gave the clothes off his back," he said tearfully. "He cared about his players. He cared about his team. He cared about the city. And it wasn't just the players, he cared about the 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 got to push your ass for him. Because he would've done that for y'all. So, that's what I told them. I said, 'Y'all got homework to do, man. Read about him. Learn about him. So that you really know the type of person he was.'" Irsay battled health and addiction issues in his life. Despite his struggles, he restored glory to the franchise and left an everlasting impact on the organization. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Tom Brady wasn't having it—his sharp response to Indy 500 boos is pure cold-blooded greatness
Tom Brady was booed at the Indy 500 by Colts fans, but responded playfully, reminding them of his past dominance.(Credit: Getty Images) More than a decade has passed since the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts locked horns in a playoff battle, but the wounds still haven't healed in Indiana. On Sunday, Tom Brady made an appearance at the Indy 500, and while the occasion had nothing to do with football, the atmosphere made it feel like the old rivalry was still alive and kicking. Colts fans wasted no time reminding Brady of the pain he had caused them throughout his NFL career, booing him loudly during the pre-race ceremony. After being booed by Colts fans, Tom Brady's savage Indy 500 line breaks the internet Tom Brady, now retired and serving as a Fox Sports analyst, was at the iconic event both to contribute to Fox's historic first broadcast of the Indy 500 and to perform a ceremonial first lap alongside NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson. Wearing a custom racing uniform, Brady stepped out to greet the massive crowd—and was immediately met with a chorus of boos. Ever the professional, Brady took it with a smile, waving back to the crowd, seemingly unfazed by the cold reception. The reaction wasn't just a random outburst—it was rooted in years of football heartbreak. Brady's legendary career often came at the expense of the Colts and their fanbase. Over 15 regular-season games against Indianapolis, Brady posted a dominant 12-3 record, throwing 33 touchdowns—his most against any non-divisional opponent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo In the playoffs, he continued to torment Indianapolis, going 4-1 in five meetings. The lone bright spot for Colts fans came in 2007 when Peyton Manning led the team to a thrilling comeback in the AFC Championship before winning Super Bowl XLI. While fans haven't moved on, the players have. Brady and Manning, once fierce competitors, have embraced retirement with mutual respect. Manning even showed up to honor Brady during his Patriots Hall of Fame induction, reflecting a rivalry that matured into a friendship. Still, fans don't forget. At the Indy 500, Brady's past continued to cast a long shadow. And yet, he found a way to get in the final word. Following the event, Brady took to Instagram and posted a photo from his day, writing: "What an incredible experience at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend. Thanks to the @foxsports family for putting on an incredible show, and to my friend, the best driver in the world and 7x champion @jimmiejohnson for letting me tag along as we led out the pack. I'll be back, and next time I'm driving!!!" And then came the mic drop: "PS: it was great to get in one more successful drive in front of a bunch of Colts fans." That's classic Brady—cool under pressure, always with a playful jab. For Colts fans, the rivalry may never truly fade. For Brady, it's just another chapter in a career defined by excellence—and a little bit of mischief. Also Read: Did Taylor Swift just tease 'Reputation (Taylor's Version)'? Fans think an AMAs 2025 reveal is coming Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jim Irsay's impact can be felt all around Indianapolis as city celebrates big sports weekend
Atlanta Dream guard Te-Hina Paopao (2) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half of an WNBA basketball game, Thursday, May, 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard) Colton Herta drives into the first turn during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) FILE - Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in the Super Bowl XLI football game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) FILE - Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay raises the Vince Lombardi trophy during a rally in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 5, 2007. The Colts defeated the Chicago Bears to win Super Bowl XLI. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) FILE - Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay raises the Vince Lombardi trophy during a rally in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 5, 2007. The Colts defeated the Chicago Bears to win Super Bowl XLI. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) Atlanta Dream guard Te-Hina Paopao (2) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half of an WNBA basketball game, Thursday, May, 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard) Colton Herta drives into the first turn during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) FILE - Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in the Super Bowl XLI football game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) FILE - Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay raises the Vince Lombardi trophy during a rally in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 5, 2007. The Colts defeated the Chicago Bears to win Super Bowl XLI. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — When Mark Miles strolls around downtown Indianapolis, he sees Jim Irsay's influence everywhere. From the trademark sports facilities to the towering J.W. Marriott hotel to the Pan Am Plaza currently under construction, he's not sure any of it could have happened without the assistance of the longtime Colts owner who helped this small Midwestern town shed its image as Indiana No Place and emerge as Indiana Some Place. Advertisement So as Indy steps into a new role, the mega center of a jam-packed Memorial Day sports weekend, the longtime local sports executive is saddened Irsay won't be here to enjoy the results of his efforts. Irsay died Wednesday in his sleep at age 65. 'It's incredibly sad, it's a big ache in my heart," Miles said Thursday. ' He had such a huge heart. He cared so, so much about the people in this community. I don't care what day it was, it was going to be a horrible loss but this weekend is sort of emblematic of what he helped build and I'm sorry he missed it." Miles, the CEO and president of IndyCar and Penske Entertainment, has had a front-row seat to Indy's evolution — and Irsay's influence — for decades. The Indy native has seen the city thrive under the glare of two NBA All-Star Games, the CFP national championship game, and dozens of other national and international championships. Advertisement But this is the kind of weekend only Irsay may have envisioned when he first came to town in March 1984. Caitlin Clark, the WNBA's top draw, and the Indiana Fever will host defending league champ New York in front of a sold out crowd Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning, an estimated 350,000 fans — including a sold-out grandstand for the first time since 2016 — will fill Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the world's largest single-day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500. Then on Sunday night, the NBA's Indiana Pacers will face the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. And it wasn't just Miles who saw it. '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,' Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon said in a statement. '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.' Advertisement Miles saw the passion almost from the moment he and his wife welcomed the Irsay family to Indianapolis following the Colts' infamous midnight move from Baltimore. From that moment, Miles sensed a commitment from Irsay to his new hometown — acknowledging Irsay never even threatened to move the Colts as they pressed for a new stadium during the early 2000s. As president of the 1987 Pan American Games organizing committee, Miles had Irsay on his side for an event that helped Indianapolis expand its international reach beyond racing. And after spending more than a decade as CEO of the Association of Tennis Professionals, he returned to lead the city's Super Bowl 46 organizing committee. 'We would never have had a Super Bowl without Jim Irsay, without the Colts or Jim Irsay's passion or commitment to getting it here and that never really wavered," Miles said. Advertisement But perhaps the greatest tribute to Irsay will be found on the city's streets this weekend. Prior to the Colts' arrival, the downtown was a virtual blank slate — devoid of hotels or restaurants and only one sporting venue, Market Square Arena. Today, celebrities and sports fans will fill thousands of hotel rooms, visit dozens of restaurants and bars and make the short downtown strolls to see Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil Stadium, Victory Field, home of the city's minor league team, and maybe even the Irsay Family YMCA. Yes, Indy has come a long way — and the locals know why. 'To have his death heading into this epic sports weekend has us pausing to reflect on just how categorically he changed and enhanced the city's skyline for the better based on his generosity, his actions and his advocacy,' said Chris Gahl, Visit Indy executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "So, it's fitting and also very hard to celebrate a weekend like this, knowing he recently passed and his last tweet was about cheering on another major sporting team in the Indy way. That's the culture he helped put in place in our city.' ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Broncos QB Peyton Manning Shares Heartfelt Message About Jim Irsay
On Wednesday afternoon, the Indianapolis Colts announced that owner Jim Irsay had passed away at the age of 65. The outpouring of love and support for the Colts and the Irsay family following his passing was abundant. A lot of his former players all shared heartfelt messages about how much Irsay meant to them. For former Denver Broncos legend Payton Manning, Irsay was the owner who drafted him first overall and brought him into the NFL. Advertisement During NFL Live on ESPN, Manning shared a heartfelt message about Irsay, expressing gratitude for the former Colts owner. "He gave me my start in the NFL... He was one of a kind," Manning said. "He loved the Colts, he loved the players that played for him, and I'll always be indebted to him for giving me my chance in the NFL." Manning was drafted by the Colts in 1998, and became the franchise quarterback for Irsay until 2010. The Colts, under Irsay and Manning, won Super Bowl XLI, and had an incredible career together. When Manning was the quarterback in Indianapolis, the Colts went 141 and 67. The two spent 14 years together, and had an incredible run. Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning before the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile Chenoy-Imagn Images After Irsay's passing, plenty of former players who played for a fraction of the amount of time that Manning did came forward and shared their love for Irsay. Advertisement For Manning, who came into the NFL as one of the most highly touted number one overall picks, Irsay pulled out all the stops. According to Manning, Irsay called Manning ahead of the NFL draft to let him know the Colts were going to take him. Irsay then asked what number Manning wanted to wear in the NFL, and had a Colts jersey made with Mannings number 18 on it. There was no owner quite like Irsay, and after his passing, the outpouring of love and support from former players tells the story. Manning's appreciation for Irsay is just one of many former Colts players that appreciated Irsay. Related: Former Broncos All-Pro CB Aqib Talib Sends Candid Advice For Jahdae Barron Related: Broncos Trade Idea Acquires NFC South Receiver for Bo Nix Former Broncos QB Peyton Manning Shares Heartfelt Message About Jim Irsay first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Tony Dungy rues missed Jim Irsay's opportunity after Colts owner's death
Jim Irsay's death has left Tony Dungy heartbroken. The former Indianapolis head coach joined Pro Football Talk Live on Thursday to reflect on his relationship with the franchise's longtime owner, who died Wednesday at the age of 65, including a recent missed connection between the two. 'I was really rocked when I heard it last night,' Dungy said. 'Jim invited me up to speak to the rookies two weeks ago, and I spoke to their rookie camp, but my plane was late, about 30 minutes late, and I didn't get a chance to go stop by and see him. I can't believe that would've been my last opportunity. I was really heart broken when I heard it. Such a good man and special in my life.' Advertisement 3 Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy (L) and Colts owner Jim Irsay ride atop a vehicle while Irsay hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a rally honoring the Colts' NFL Super Bowl XLI win in Indianapolis February 5, 2007. Reuters Dungy, who was head coach of the Colts from 2002-2008, also took to social media to honor Irsay, who passed in his sleep on Wednesday. 'When I got the news last night that Jim Irsay had passed away in his sleep it was devastating to me. The Bible says in many places that tomorrow is not promised to us but I wasn't ready for this. Jim was one of the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever known,' Dungy wrote on X. Advertisement 3 Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy walks the sideline during NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Indianapolis. AP 'He was awesome to me and my family. He was a blessing to his players and staff. But more than that he had a heart for people and for the city of Indianapolis. He loved people and did so many things for others — more things than you could imagine. I miss him already. He was a special man and I couldn't have worked for a better owner.' Dungy went 112-85 during seven seasons with the Colts, leading the franchise to its only Super Bowl win during its tenure in Indianapolis alongside quarterback Peyton Manning in 2007. 3 Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Indianapolis. Shane Steichen was introduced as the Colts new head coach. AP Advertisement Manning also spoke out Wednesday to honor Irsay after his death. '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.'
