Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis remembers Jim Irsay: A legacy beyond football
INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Irsay, the beloved owner of the Indianapolis Colts, passed away Wednesday afternoon at the age of 65. As news of his death spreads, many are reflecting on the profound impact he had not only on the game of football but also on the community that adores him.
“He had a heart of gold,” said ESPN NFL Reporter Stephen Holder, who covers the Indianapolis Colts.
WATCH: Stephan Holder. Holder has covered the Indianapolis Colts since 2013. Most recently, he has been the team beat writer for ESPN.com.
Stephen Holder
Those who worked alongside Irsay and played for him often saw this quality firsthand. His love for the sport was evident, but it was his connection to family and community that truly defined him.
“It wasn’t just about football,” Former Colts Cornerback Marlin Jackson said. “It was about his family, and it was about the community. He poured his heart and soul into both those things.”
For many, Jim Irsay was not just a team owner but a vital part of the community.
“When they think about Indianapolis, they think about the Colts,” said Holder. “That’s not how it was 30 years ago. The Colts were just an afterthought. He helped give this city an identity.”
WATCH: Marlin Jackson. Jackson was a first-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2005. He was a starting cornerback for the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI win over the Chicago Bears.
Marlin Jackson
Under Irsay’s leadership, many said the Colts became an integral part of Indianapolis, transitioning the city from a racing and college basketball town to one that proudly embraces its NFL franchise. The narrative of Indianapolis has shifted, and much of that progress can be attributed to Irsay’s vision.
In 2020, Irsay and the Colts launched “Kicking the Stigma,” a campaign aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues and reducing associated stigmas.
“He wanted it to be a national PSA,” said Kalen Jackson, Irsay’s daughter. “It was a beautiful thing, and I think that’s what makes Kicking the Stigma so impactful—it comes from a genuine place.”
Fans often saw themselves in Irsay, feeling a personal connection to his vision for the team. He helped elevate the Colts to their status at the forefront of Indiana’s sports landscape.
“The fans—they saw themselves in him in many ways,” Former Colts Lineman Brian Baldinger said. “If you wore the horseshoe, you felt like you were playing for a first-class organization.”
WATCH: Brian Baldinger. Baldinger played four of his eleven seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. He currently serves as an analyst for the NFL Network.
Brian Baldinger
As the city mourns the loss of a powerful figure, those who knew Jim Irsay best are left with lasting memories of his contributions both on and off the field. His legacy will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Athenaeum in downtown Indianapolis is getting ready to welcome spring with its annual St. Benno Festival this Saturday.
Organizers say it’s one of the longest-running cultural festivals in Indianapolis.
St. Benno Festival is based on the German tradition of “Frühlingsfest,” the springtime version of Oktoberfest, Athenaeum Foundation President Craig Mince says.
“It would always be the festival that would open up the beer garden,” Mince said. “So that was kind of their kickoff of the spring and that warmer season. “
The Athenaeum’s celebration focuses on St. Benno, the patron saint of anglers and the city of Munich, Germany.
There’s a lot of folklore surrounding St. Benno. He’s said to have created Bach beer. He also had a sidekick, “Einbeck,” which means “billy goat” in German.
Legend has it that when the invaders were coming to Munich, he threw the key to a church into a body of water. Years later, he caught a fish that had eaten the key and retrieved it.
“When the German immigrants came here to central Indiana, Indianapolis in particular, they started to organize,” Mince said. “They celebrated Benno. They celebrated Bach beer. So that was kind of the beginning of this institution.”
St. Benno Fest will include lots of beer, pretzels, and Gomez BBQ’s doner kebab.
Francene Thomas, the Athenaeum’s event and festivals manager, says there’s a lot of thought that goes into the menu.
“We want to definitely bring the tradition of this festival and continue that, but also, just bring some fresh flavor to it, too.”
The celebration serves as a fundraiser for the Athenaeum. Money raised will go back into maintenance and other events that promote German culture.
Tickets are $25 and can be bought in advance on the Athenaeum website. St. Benno Fest is a 21+ event and runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
LAWRENCE, Ind. (WISH) — Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield on Thursday evening delivered this year’s State of the City address, outlining her vision for the city’s future.
Her address focused on community growth, development, public safety and the Live Longer in Lawrence initiative. The initiative was designed to reduce barriers to health care for residents.
The city also plans to emphasize arts and culture to ensure Lawrence’s 49,800 residents feel connected to the community.
The Democratic mayor emphasized her administration’s commitment to turning goals into tangible results. “In Lawrence, we are not in the business of ideas that sit on the shelf. We are turning vision into momentum. We are making plans and putting them into actions. We are taking opportunities and turning them into results.”
This story, created from a script aired on WISH-TV, 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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