Peyton Manning: Jim Irsay was a great owner to play for

INDIANAPOLIS — A casual lunch in early April 1998 was the start of a long, productive and close relationship.

Jim Irsay dispatched his private jet to Knoxville, Tenn. to bring an All-America quarterback at the University of Tennessee to the Surf Club in Miami.

Irsay’s Indianapolis Colts held the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and Peyton Manning was being given serious consideration.

“First time I met him,’’ Manning told FOX59/CBS4 in a cell phone call Wednesday night. “We sat there at the Surf Club, and I didn’t think anything of it.

“I didn’t have anything planned. I was just going to talk and listen. I think he was doing the same thing with (Ryan) Leaf maybe.’’

Manning doesn’t remember the details of his first-impression meeting with Irsay, but his parting words remain fresh.

“I got up and left and I said, ‘Mr. Irsay, I’ll win for you,’’’ Manning said. “That was it, and I headed back to the airport.

“When you’d hear Jim tell it, he’s giving me that look with those steely eyes. ‘Hey, sounds good to me.’’’

A few weeks later, Irsay was on hand in New York as the Colts used the No. 1 overall pick on Manning.

Manning hoped to wear No. 18 with Indy — that was father Archie’s number at Ole Miss and brother Cooper’s number in high school — after wearing No. 16 at Tennessee.

Done. Irsay used FedEx to ensure Manning could pose between his new boss and commissioner Paul Tagliabue after the selection was announced.

“The fact Jim was there and was able to have my number there meant a lot to me,’’ Manning said.

Manning’s first interactions with Irsay came flooding back as word of Irsay’s passing Wednesday was announced. He immediately reached out to Edgerrin James and other former teammates.

“Jim was a great owner to play for,’’ Manning said. “I’m just grateful he gave me my start in the NFL.

“Nobody cared more about the Colts and had more passion for the team than he did. He was about winning and doing whatever it took to win and the answer always was ‘Yes’ if Jim thought it would help us win.’’

The highlight of Irsay’s football life was the Colts’ 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI in South Florida on Feb. 4, 2007.

But a close second was being chosen by James, Marvin Harrison and Dwight Freeney as their presenter during induction ceremonies for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

“That tells you the respect they had and all of the players had for Jim,’’ Manning said. “Just would do anything for you.’’

Irsay made his private jet available for Manning — and others — on several occasions, including to fly Manning and new bride Ashley from Memphis, Tenn. to Punta Mita (Mexico) for their honeymoon.

“Came back and picked us up a week later,’’ Manning said.

When Manning was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021, Irsay again offered his jet. It mattered not at all that it was Irsay’s decision to release Manning in March 2012 because of Manning’s neck issues, and that Manning would embark on the second phase of his career with the Denver Broncos.

“Jim insisted I enter Canton property in a Colts plane,’’ Manning said with a laugh. “Me and (son) Marshall flew in. It was just me and Marshall on the plane and we were playing catch.

“That was Jim. He insisted.’’

Irsay also put together and footed the bill for the separate post-induction parties for Manning and James in Canton in August 2021.

“He always supported me throughout my career and after it,’’ Manning said.

In October 2017, Irsay and the Colts unveiled a 9-foot bronze statue of Manning outside of Lucas Oil Stadium.

The relationship persevered even after the Manning-Colts playing relationship ended.

“Our relationship was great,’’ Manning said. “I loved my time there. I’m grateful for it.’’

Bill Polian remembers

One of Irsay’s most consequential decisions was naming Bill Polian his general manager in 1998. He was the architect of the Colts’ successes that began with selecting Manning and James with first-round picks in 1998 and ’99, respectively.

Wednesday, Polian reflected on Irsay’s passing.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Irsay,’’ Polian said in a statement through the team. “Eileen joins me in sending our heartfelt condolences to Carlie, Casey and Kalen and the entire Irsay family. We owe Jim and his family a debt of gratitude we can never repay.

“I was privileged to share a wonderful friendship with Jim, which began long before I worked for Jim and lasted until this sad day. For those of us fortunate enough to be part of the Colts family, Jim was a tremendously supportive, incredibly knowledgeable and personally caring leader. His focus on family extended well beyond his immediate family to his much larger Colts universe. His concern and generosity toward former players and employees is well known among those of us who (were) part of the organization.

“ . . . Jim’s legacy is not only the Lombardi Trophy and Lucas Oil Stadium. It includes in greater measure, the respect, admiration, gratitude and affection from all of us who proudly wore the horseshoe for Jim.

“May he rest in peace.’’

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.