Pat McAfee brings a heartbreaking tribute to Jim Irsay after the death of Colts -owner

Pat McAfee has after the The sudden death of Colts -W time at the age of 65.

McAfee, now the host of his eponymous show for ESPN, spent all eight years of his NFL career at the Colts after they had drawn up the Punter in 2009.

And after the death of Irsay on Wednesday, McAfee placed a long Message to X – While playing it for the owner called it an ‘honor’.

‘Jim had friendships with many of his former players. I was lucky that I was one of them, “McAfee started hours after the Colts Irsay died in his sleep.

‘Playing for a team that ran Mr. Irsay was an honor. He was funny, brilliant, unique and somehow still wildly relatively for a man who became the only owner of an NFL team at the age of 37 … and was hired as the youngest general manager in the history of the competition as a 24 -year -old.

‘He fought against his demons, as we all do, but God blessing Jim Irsay with an abundance of compassion … He wanted to give everything back/help/everything he saw or knew … Compiling all the causes/things/people he has given, would be an impossible task .. probably more than $ 100,000,000

Indianapolis Colts -owner Jim Irsay died at the age of 65, the team announced on Wednesday

McAfee (center) and Irsay are seen for a competition in 2011, alongside Kicker Adam Vinatieri

The former Punter and the current ESPN star said it was an ‘honor’ to play for a team performed by Irsay

The double Pro Bowler further explained how he got to know Irsay for the first time at a deeper level during the training camp in 2011.

‘He enjoyed the idea of ​​being able to make contact with Colts fans around the world. He appreciated the chance to be able to share some of his thoughts in his own way … and he absolutely loved the idea of ​​giving money/experiences/tickets/etc. Get rid of people on Twitter, “said McAfee, before he called him a” Mogul “with the brain of a” creative artist. “

After his generosity to continue to praise and call him a ‘true anomaly’, McAfee remembered the conversation that the couple had when he decided to retire after the 2016 season.

“He tried to stop me for a few minutes .. even offered to negotiate my contract again … and when he realized that my decision was made. The Convo changed him to give me as much play as possible about running a company and maintaining authenticity,” McAfee said. “He gave me quotes and words to live by .. told me stories about mistakes he and others had made and he promised that he would do everything he could to help me in my company.”

McAfee, who has become a media mogul in ESPN, remembered that Irsay told him that he always had a job available with the family of his Colts’ if it didn’t work.

McAfee did not have to include Irsay in that offer, although he gushed about the constant willingness of the billionaire to appear in his show and to offer him motivation.

“Jim was real … And we will all miss the S *** from him,” said McAfee.

‘I send my positive prayers and vibes to his daughters, his grandchildren, his loved ones, his staff and everyone who has worked with Jim for the past 40 years.

‘Thanks for everything big man .. You were a damn legend. Rest easy, brother. ‘

Legendary Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning also said on Instagram that he was’ deeply sad “to hear about the death of Irsay and thinks more about the loss on Thursday.

McAfee shared this photo of him and Irsay did an interview together on his X page

Irsay admitted that he had participated at least 15 times in rehabilitation for alcoholism and painkiller slave

McAfee spent eight years as a punt at the Colts before he retired after the 2016 season

“He was not short of life,” he said ESPN’s NFL Live. “Jim Irsay fully lived life, I can guarantee that, and he will be missed by so much.”

Manning lovingly remembered how Irsay attended his NFL concept day -and even had his number 18 sweater ready for the occasion.

“He was unique in his kind, we all know him, everyone who has to meet him. He was unique, but he loved the Colts, he loved the players who played for them and I will always owe him to give my chance in the NFL. ‘

The owner of the beloved Colts had fought against alcoholism and addiction issues and also suffered in his house in December 2023.

After that incident, he became less visible and was rarely seen publicly during the NFL season 2024.

According to athleticsThe oldest of the three daughters of Irsay, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, is expected to accept the most important ownership of the Colts.