Pat McAfee leads the tributes to Jim Irsay as family and friends gather to say final goodbye to late Colts owner

Pat McAfee was among the loved ones of Jim Irsay who gathered to remember the late Colts owner at a private memorial service on Monday.

Irsay, who was owner and CEO of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, died in his sleep last month at the age of 65.

His family and friends headed to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on Monday, with former Colts coach Tony Dungy and several Indianapolis players joining the memorial service.

McAfee played for the Colts between 2009 and 2016 and the former punter took to social media to pay tribute to Irsay following the service.

'Rest easy Big Man… Today was beautiful.. We celebrated the hell out of you,' McAfee wrote alongside a picture showing a card and booklet from the service.

The Colts have vowed to hold a public tribute to Irsay following his death. His family, meanwhile, encouraged fans to donate to 'Kicking the Stigma'. The Colts' mental health initiative was one of many causes championed by Irsay before his death.

Legendary Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died in his sleep last month at the age of 65

On Monday, Irsay's family and friends including Pat McAfee gathered for a memorial service

'Rest easy Big Man,' wrote McAfee (c), who played for the Colts between 2009 and 2016

Irsay was just 12 when his father Robert bought the team in 1972. Jim worked across the organization - including as a ball boy and in ticket sales - before becoming the youngest general manager in NFL history at the age of 24.

After Robert Irsay moved the team from Baltimore to Indianapolis, his son took sole control of the Colts in 1997. He was just 37 and the youngest owner in league history.

He was an outspoken and sometimes controversial owner but Irsay was in charge in February 2007 when the Colts won the Super Bowl against the Chicago Bears with Peyton Manning at quarterback. He also oversaw the construction of their Lucas Oil Stadium.

Away from football, however, Irsay battled crippling addiction problems and personal demons. He had three daughters with ex-wife Meg Coyle. Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson are now co-owners of the Colts.

Last week, Indianapolis legend Reggie Wayne broke down in tears as he discussed Irsay's recent passing.

'I told the receivers, a lot of you don't really know him but he would've done anything for anybody,' Wayne said.

'He would've gave the clothes off his back… I said, you have to push your a**es for him. 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."'

Was this article helpful?

Yes

Pat McAfee leads the tributes to Jim Irsay as family and friends gather to say final goodbye to late Colts owner

Related articles