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Dallas Clark reflects on Jim Irsay’s legacy and impact in Indianapolis: ‘He lived Colts football’

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Dallas Clark reflects on Jim Irsay’s legacy and impact in Indianapolis: ‘He lived Colts football’


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The Indianapolis Colts, and the state of Indiana as a whole, lost one of its key contributors in owner Jim Irsay last month after battling health issues. 

Dallas Clark, who played nine seasons with the Colts and helped them win a Super Bowl in 2006, was one of many former and current players, executives and coaches who attended Irsay’s funeral. 

While everyone remains in mourning, Clark said he truly understood what Irsay meant to the Colts and the game of football after learning more than he ever could among his peers. 

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Dallas Clark is inducted into the Ring of Honor during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium. (IndyStar USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)

“At his funeral, just crazy the things I learned about him,” Clark told Fox News Digital while attending Tight End University yet again as one of the key legends among the group of more than 80 participants. “About being the youngest general manager, and it all kind of made sense. This man has lived this game of football every day of his life, and we were just so honored to represent him and his family. What a huge, huge loss.”

Clark recalled the time he was drafted by the Colts, when general manager Bill Polian and the front office took the star out of Iowa 23rd overall in 2003. While he was just trying to make a good impression on his new NFL team, Clark also got to see the type of owner Irsay was.

“Didn’t understand it at first, like, ‘I don’t know why you guys need me. You’re freaking loaded,’” Clark said about being drafted by Indianapolis. “I remember getting in that huddle the first time and was like, ‘This is going to be interesting.’ 

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“But being around [Irsay], seeing the impact he had on the city. He truly loved his players and took care of us, and we weren’t just an investment, we weren’t just a side gig. He lived Colts football.”

Irsay took ownership of the Colts in 1995 following a legal battle after the death of his father. Before then, Irsay was the general manager of the team from 1982 to 1996 and became the NFL’s youngest owner at age 37.

Since then, the Colts have had massive success with Peyton Manning as their quarterback, but they have been in flux since Manning left the team and Andrew Luck abruptly retired.

Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, speaks to the fans at Reggie Wayne’s induction into the Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 18, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Other than caring about his Colts, Clark knew how much Irsay meant to the community, and it was not a grandiose display every time he did so. 

“He was the epitome of what giving back, what truly caring, truly embracing the state of Indiana, the whole Colts nation, the organization,” Clark said. “I’m hoping all the owners have learned something from him, about him, and how you handle yourself and how you be a true owner of representing your team. The power that he would have, and the impact he would make – so many things he did were under the radar. That’s the beautiful thing about him: he wasn’t trying to get himself in the spotlight or anything like that. He was always trying to find a way to make an impact.”

While Clark is sad that “Mr. Irsay” will not be in Lucas Oil Stadium anymore on gamedays, he is excited to see how his three daughters – Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson – honor their father and run the team in their own way. 

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, right, gives retiring Dallas Clark a Colts jersery at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center Indianapolis. (TMB/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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“I know the girls are going to do a phenomenal job of honoring him and keeping his legacy strong in the front of their direction, but also make it their own and find ways to make it their own and change things for the good,” Clark said.

“The impact he had on so many people, this is going to be a tough one. So happy they’re going to honor him the first week, put him in the Ring of Honor, and it’s going to be a special day.”

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Indianapolis, IN

Foundation donates $20 million to Purdue for health care systems innovation

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Foundation donates  million to Purdue for health care systems innovation


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) — Purdue University has received a $20 million commitment from the Ricks Family Foundation to establish the Purdue Institute for Healthcare Systems Innovation at the Indianapolis campus.

The institute in the Mitch Daniels School of Business aims to improve health care efficiency and effectiveness, the university said in a news release issued Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Christina Ricks and her husband, David A. Ricks, the chair and CEO of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co., are the primary leaders of the foundation.

James “Jim” Bullard, a dean for the Daniels School of Business, said in the release, “Considering the health care situation in the U.S. today, there is a clear need for rigorous, market-informed research that challenges conventional thinking and drives new solutions. This institute will allow Purdue to lead that work and make a lasting difference.”

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As Purdue works to develop its relatively new Indianapolis campus, the university recently announced that plans for a 12-story apartment building on recently acquired canal property in Indianapolis are now on hold as the university develops its campus, Mirror Indy reported.

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.



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Woman critically injured in shooting on northeast side of Indianapolis

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Woman critically injured in shooting on northeast side of Indianapolis


INDIANAPOLIS — A woman was critically injured in a shooting on the northeast side of Indianapolis Tuesday night.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called to the 5500 block of East 41st Street around 8:45 p.m. to investigate a shooting. When police arrived at the scene, they located an adult female with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.

Photo of police investigating a shooting in the 5500 block of East 41st Street on April 28, 2026, captured by a FOX59/CBS4 crew.

Per IMPD, the victim was transported from the the scene to a local hospital in critical condition. Police reported that hospital staff later provided them with an update that indicated the victim remains in critical condition.

Investigators believe the shooting occurred inside a residence on 41st Street. One shell casing was found in the front yard of that residence near its driveway. Police do not believe that stray shell casing is related to the shooting in any way.

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Law enforcement detained a person of interest during its investigation of the shooting. IMPD has not yet provided any of the detainee’s identifying information like sex, age or name.

Police do not believe the shooting poses any ongoing threat to the public. Investigators are, however, still encouraging area residents to call IMPD at (317) 327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477 to pass along any information they may have on the shooting.



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Larry D. Hunter, age 80 of Indianapolis – WRBI Radio

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Larry D. Hunter, age 80 of Indianapolis – WRBI Radio


Larry D. Hunter, 80, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully at his home on April 16, 2026. He was born in Metamora, Indiana, on April 19, 1945, the ninth of 11 children of Conley and Oma Hunter (née Mobley). He was a graduate of Brookville High School, where he played basketball and also served as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, B. High Spirit. While in high school, he also played baseball in the Babe Ruth League in Brookville. 

After graduating in 1963, Larry joined the U.S. Army, serving from 1964 until 1967. During this time, while stationed in Germany, he met his first wife, Gabriele (née Vetter). They returned to the States, married in 1968 and remained together until 1988. They had two children, Rusty and Nikki. In 1997, he married Connie (née Sparks) and they remained together until 2022. Larry was a member of Five Points Baptist Church in Mooresville and the Carpenters Union Local 301. He was employed with Paul Fox Construction for several years before working at F.A. Wilhelm Construction, where he stayed for over 40 years as a layout engineer and then superintendent before officially retiring in 2025 at the age of 80. 

Larry had many interests including spending time with family; watching Indianapolis Colts games, comedy movies and game shows; playing board games; working his booth at the flea market, and playing ping pong, mini golf and bowling, for which he participated in a league for a few years. He also loved his many dogs – Chief, Champ, Prince, Max and Molly – and cats Cuddles, Sophie, Misty and Meanbutt.

Survivors include his two children, Rusty Hunter of New Palestine and Nikki Hunter of Indianapolis; one brother James A. (Karen) Hunter of Shelbyville; step-daughter Amie Jo Sparks (Christopher) Ross; five step-grandchildren Jordan (Paige) Cowan, Mason (Alexis) Cowan, Erica Cowan, Jessica Furkin, and Daila Hargitt; eight step-great-grandchildren, Callie, Aiden, Rylie, Princeton, Sensei, Charlotte, Luka, and Amelia. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by nine siblings: William, Ray, Roy, Herbert, Eva, Elsie, Ruth, Paul (“Bud”), and Garry; and one stepson, Brian Sparks.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 4 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home, 929 Main Street, Brookville, Indiana 47012. Pastor Rob Edwards will officiate the funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. and burial will follow immediately after in Metamora Cemetery – Mobley Addition. 

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Memorial contributions in honor of Larry may be directed to the American Legion Bernard Hurst Post #77. Donations will be accepted in person at the visitation, or they can be mailed to 1290 Fairfield Avenue, Brookville, IN 47012.

To share fond memories, offer personal condolences, or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home are honored to care for Larry and his family during this time.



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