Jim Irsay’s impact was felt by the entire football community.
But none more so than his former players.
Indianapolis Colts great, Reggie Wayne, who played 14 seasons with the franchise and is now the wide receivers coach, spoke on Wednesday about the type of person Irsay was.
He did so through muffled tears and a creaky voice.
“I told the receivers,” Wayne began before tearing up.
“I told the receivers, I said ‘A lot of y’all didn’t really know him. He would’ve done anything for anybody. He would have gave the clothes off his back…’
“He cared about his players. He cared about his team. He cared about the city.
“It wasn’t just the players, he cared about the people in the building.
“He was that dude.”
Wayne went on to tell the media that he told his players that they had homework to do.
To go read and learn about the beloved owner who passed away last week at the age of 65 due to health issues.
It was evident and widely known that Wayne and Irsay had a close relationship.
Irsay and Wayne had a special relationship with one another, built out of respect and admirationCredit: Getty
Irsay was the heartbeat of the Colts franchiseCredit: Getty
Just as the owner did with all of his players.
Since the day of his passing, hundreds of stories have been shared by former players, members of the media, and those who worked with him around the league, about just how great of a man Irsay was.
He was enigmatic at times, and got himself into trouble every so often, but he was one of a kind.
And he had a heart in the shape of a horseshoe.
As Wayne said, “He cared about his players. He cared about his team. He cared about the city.”
Irsay loved the city of Indianapolis, and Wayne’s reaction was likely the reaction of so many others when talking about the man with the horseshoe-shaped heart.
Irsay inherited the team from his father in 1997 and never looked back
