Jim Irsay, longtime owner of NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, dies aged 65

Jim Irsay assumed day-to-day control of the Indianapolis Colts in 1995 when his father suffered a stroke. Photograph: Darron Cummings/AP

Jim Irsay, longtime owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts and one of the NFL’s most recognizable figures, has died at age 65. The franchise announced that Irsay passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday afternoon.

“We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep,” Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward said in a statement. “Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts, in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed.”