Pat McAfee has paid a heartbreaking tribute to Jim Irsay after the Colts owner’s sudden death at 65.
McAfee, now the host of his eponymous show for ESPN, spent all eight years of his NFL career with the Colts after they drafted the punter in 2009.
And following Irsay’s passing on Wednesday, McAfee posted a lengthy message to X – as he called playing for the owner an ‘honor.’
‘Jim had friendships with a lot of his former players.. I was lucky to be one of them,’ McAfee began, hours after the Colts announced Irsay had died in his sleep.
‘Playing for a team that Mr Irsay ran was an honor. He was funny, brilliant, unique, and somehow still wildly relatable for a man who became the sole owner of an NFL team at the age of 37.. and before that, hired as the youngest general manager in the history of the league as a 24 year old.
‘He battled his demons, as we all do but, God blessed Jim Irsay with an abundance of compassion.. he wanted to give back/help everybody and everything he saw or knew about… putting a list together of all of the causes/things/people that he’s given to would be an impossible task.. probably well over $100,000,000.. there was even a whale about to get an assist from Jim at one point,’ McAfee continued.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died at the age of 65, the team announced Wednesday
McAfee (center) and Irsay are seen before a game in 2011, alongside kicker Adam Vinatieri
The former punter and current ESPN star said it was an ‘honor’ playing for a team ran by Irsay
The two-time Pro Bowler went on to explain how he first got to know Irsay on a deeper level during training camp in 2011.
‘He enjoyed the thought of being able to connect with Colts fans all over the world.. he appreciated the opportunity to be able to share some of his thoughts in his own way.. and he absolutely LOVED the idea of being able to give money/experiences/tickets/etc. away to people on Twitter,’ McAfee said, before calling him a ‘mogul’ with a ‘creative artist’s brain.’
After continuing to praise his generosity and calling him a ‘true anomaly,’ McAfee recalled the conversation the pair had when he decided to retire after the 2016 season.
‘He tried to stop me for a few minutes.. even offered to renegotiate my contract.. and then once he realized my decision was made.. the convo turned into him trying to give me as much game as possible about running a business and maintaining authenticity,’ McAfee said. ‘He gave me quotes and words to live by.. told me stories of mistakes he and others had made and he promised he would do anything he could to help me in my venture.’
McAfee, who has turned into a media mogul at ESPN, remembered Irsay telling him he’d always have a job available with his Colts ‘family’ if things didn’t work out.
McAfee did not need to take Irsay up on that offer, though he gushed about the billionaire’s constant willingness to appear on his show and offer him motivation.
‘Jim was a real one.. and we will all miss the s*** out of him,’ McAfee said.
‘I send my positive prayers and vibes to his daughters, his grandkids, his loved ones, his staff, and everybody who has been working with Jim for the last 40 years.
‘Thank you for EVERYTHING big man.. You were a damn legend. Rest Easy, brother.’
Legendary Colts quarterback Peyton Manning also said on Instagram that he was ‘heartbroken’ to hear about Irsay’s passing, and further reflected on the loss on Thursday.
McAfee shared this photo of him and Irsay doing an interview together on his X page
Irsay admitted he had partaken in rehab for alcoholism and painkiller addiction at least 15 times
McAfee spent eight years as a punter with the Colts before retiring after the 2016 season
‘He did not get shorted in life,’ he said on ESPN’s NFL Live. ‘Jim Irsay lived life to the fullest, I can guarantee you that, and he will be missed by so many.’
Manning fondly remembered how Irsay attended his NFL Draft Day – and even had his No. 18 jersey ready for the occasion.
‘He was one of a kind, we all know him, anybody that’s got to meet him. He was unique but he loved the Colts, he loved the players that played for them and I’ll always be indebted to him for giving me my chance in the NFL.’
The beloved Colts owner had battled alcoholism and addiction issues, and also suffered a fall at his home in December 2023.
Following that incident, he became less visible and was rarely seen publicly during the 2024 NFL season.
According to The Athletic, the oldest of Irsay’s three daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, is expected to assume principal ownership duties of the Colts.
