Jim Irsay

Born :

June 13, 1959

In a way, it's a great thing that I have the opportunity to stand at the crossroads of Los Angeles and Indianapolis, and stay right here, ... People say that reality is in the footsteps, and not the words. That, as much as anybody, gives you a chance to show your sincerity and commitment, and what you're all about as far as leaving a legacy.

opportunity reality commitment

The #18 jersey will never be worn again by Jim Irsay

The #18 jersey will never be worn again

I want him to and I've asked him to, i would love to have him retire as a Colt and how he handles that part of his career.

I told Peyton Manning right after the( AFC Championship Game) everyone here is so excited, and it's so deserving because I don't think anyone is more respected by everyone in the game, meaning you guys in the media to the players on the field Peyton Manning's playing against, it's just so deserving, it really is.

It took over $4 million and 45 years, but we finally got them back together, i know it's a symbolic thing, but it really means a lot to me.

These diseases, both alcoholism and addiction, much like bipolar or depression and different illnesses, are still not seen as real diseases. People shy away from seeking help because it's viewed as being somewhat morally off the path, that they've lost their way.

addiction path depression people

Continuity is a great thing; staying the course and being patient, those are important virtues. But also there is virtue in being realistic enough to know you have to make serious changes sometimes.

great you serious sometimes

As we start to get a little bit older, boy, keep your house in order. That's the key thing. It's not about the thrills anymore. It's about contentment, about having some serenity.

boy start serenity house

I really think the disease aspect gets lost when you're talking about alcoholism and addiction; it's not like you're battling leukemia or a heart problem; it is that.

think you addiction heart

Football is so popular, people know they can sell their story in a newspaper form or a rating on TV, so they use football because what they are more about is the business of, you know, selling newspapers or seeing commercial time on TV.

you business time football

You don't tell a player you can't monitor your investments for a month. There's no way you're going to have a billion-dollar investment and never fail to monitor it for a period of time.

never you time way

I've always felt like I had a personal relationship with fans. I'm not afraid to be emotional or vulnerable or humble.

always emotional humble relationship

I have successfully dealt with my dependence and my chronic pain issues. I ask that my privacy and that of my family be respected on this health issue.

privacy family pain health

There's this myth that there's no loyalty in football. Well, there's tremendous loyalty and emotion and respect that go into the coaches and players you've gone into battle with. But as an owner, you have to make the decisions that are the right ones for the organization, that are the right ones that will help you win.

you respect loyalty football

Part of me goes back to being 8 years old and going on the train 45 minutes to wait at a bank to get Ernie Banks' autograph. Or when I was a ball boy, becoming best buddies with some of the undrafted or late-drafted guys, them becoming like our big brothers, and then the pain of cut day and watching them get cut.

best day me pain

My philosophy on quarterbacks is, first and foremost, you've got to keep them healthy and on the field.

first you healthy philosophy

In a perfect world, you make a seamless transition from one great era to the next, but that rarely happens. I've studied these things: how do you go from the Aikman-Irvin-Smith Cowboys to the next era? I'm all for continuity. I wish we could have done it that way with Bill Polian, Jim Caldwell, Peyton.

great you way world

That may be one of the qualities a lot of owners have. They thrive on times that are challenging and changing because you have to grasp the big picture.

picture big you big-picture

You'd like to transition with continuity, have people in your own organization rise up and continue forward, whether in coaching or personnel or players.

own you organization people

There's great affection, tremendous loyalty, but anytime you open up the season, when you walk in the locker room, there is a circle, and my obligation to everyone in that locker room is the circle has to be as strong as possible to give us a chance to win.

walk great you loyalty