Peyton Manning shares great NFL Draft story about Jim Irsay
Peyton Manning likely has countless stories about late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, and the legendary quarterback shared a great one on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the sports world was stunned when the Colts announced that Irsay had died at 65. Tributes immediately began flooding in, and Manning said he was "heartbroken" to hear the news.
Manning spoke more about his former boss during a Thursday appearance on ESPN's "NFL Live." He recalled how Irsay attended the 1998 NFL Draft, when the Colts took Manning with the first overall pick. Manning said it meant a great deal to him that Irsay called the former Tennessee star ahead of the draft to find out which jersey number Manning wanted to wear in Indianapolis.
"I haven't watched every draft since then, but I know it was very rare that the owner was at the draft. Jim Irsay handed (former NFL commissioner) Paul Tagliabue the card that said, 'Colts select Peyton Manning,'" Manning recalled. "He also wanted to know what jersey number I wanted to wear. ... Jim had a No. 18 Manning Colts jersey FedEx'ed up to the draft in New York. I think I'm the only player ever to hold their actual jersey at the draft, not just the No. 1.
"When that's your first day on the job and you see your owner there, you see him wanting to have my number, that told me how committed he was to winning. It was just a great way to start your career."
Manning said he will always be "indebted" to Irsay.
Peyton Manning on Jim Irsay: "I'll always be indebted to him for giving me my chance in the NFL."
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) May 22, 2025
Irsay drafted Peyton Manning first overall in the 1998 draft. pic.twitter.com/u0Tmq2WWrJ
Irsay took over as the Colts' principal owner after his father, Robert Irsay, died in 1997. Jim was known for his one-of-a-kind personality and being very open about his passions outside of football.
Manning's story about the draft reminds us that the Colts were far more than just an investment for Irsay, which is not true for all team owners in the modern era.
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Peyton Manning shares great NFL Draft story about Jim Irsay
Peyton Manning likely has countless stories about late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, and the legendary quarterback shared a great one on Thursday. On Wednesday, the sports world was stunned when the Colts announced that Irsay had died at 65. Tributes immediately ...
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