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-area students speak on proposed ILEA changes
Students from both Shortridge High School and KIPP Indy Public Schools speak on the proposed models from the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance.
The signers of a recent statement by the African American Coalition of Indianapolis questioning who speaks for the Black community raise concerns about process while our students of color continue to be left behind in a public education system that offers too little opportunity and too few positive outcomes.
We agree that parents and students should be heard, which is why we’re troubled that our voices were overlooked during the public process led by the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance. We were present at nearly every ILEA meeting, sharing our personal experiences and asking leaders to take bold action, and we spent months discussing and researching ideas before offering a series of recommendations to improve schools in both IPS and the charter sector.
For many of us, speaking up to improve public education in our city goes back years. We have consistently focused on stronger accountability for all schools within IPS and on growing what works in communities that most need quality schools. So we have to ask: Did you not hear us? Or did you choose to ignore us because our opinions don’t align with yours? Are you now trying to diminish our voices by suggesting that our affiliation with certain organizations means we can’t think or speak for ourselves?
Let us be clear. Our advocacy is driven by our own experiences, and it is these perspectives that add value to the debate we’re having as a community. We live in neighborhoods that are directly impacted by the opportunity gap. It takes courage to advocate, and when voices like ours are attacked, it discourages others in our community from standing up and speaking out.
We strongly support IPS — many of us attended the district as children and have our own students there now. We also support a system of quality charter schools, and we will continue to advocate for both despite attempts to pit sectors against one another. While these recent words and claims are unfair and deeply hurtful, we remain dedicated to bringing voices together to solve problems.
It is time to stop the toxic politics of school type and focus on progress for children, especially Black and brown students who have been harmed by a tragic opportunity gap that has existed for generations. While House Bill 1423 is not perfect, we see it as the best opportunity in many years to hold all schools accountable for improved results, expand transportation and access across IPS, and move toward financial stability across the system.
You may disagree with us on the policy, and that is OK. But please do not dismiss our voices or discount our stories, which represent so many in IPS who simply want a high-quality, safe public school experience for their children.
LaToya Hale, Greg Henson, Dontia Dyson, Cristal Salgado and Swantella Nelson are Indianapolis parents.
WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Westfield officials say the historic Green Building will relocate as part of the 32Connects project, in partnership with Indiana Department of Transportation.
The move is set for 8 a.m. Thursday and move north from its current location, along State Road 32 near Union Street, up to near the Basile Westfield Playhouse.
Officials say in order to safely complete the move the intersection of Union Street and State Road 32 will be closed beginning at 4 a.m. Thursday.
The intersection will reopen by 5 p.m. and detours will be in place.
If the weather causes delays, the move will shift to Friday.
This story was written using a script that was aired on WISH-TV.
Indianapolis, IN
How to watch Cleveland State Vikings vs. IU Indianapolis Jaguars: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Horizon League Tournament
Tune in to see the No. 10 seed Cleveland State Vikings (10-21, 6-14 Horizon League) meet the No. 11 seed IU Indianapolis Jaguars (7-24, 3-17 Horizon League) in the Horizon League Tournament Monday at Wolstein Center, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Here is everything you need to get ready for Monday’s college basketball action.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Cleveland State vs. IU Indianapolis: How to watch on TV or live stream
- Game day: Monday, March 2, 2026
- Game time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
- Arena: Wolstein Center
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: ESPN+ – Watch NOW
Watch college basketball on ESPN+!
Vikings vs. Jaguars odds and spread
- Spread Favorite: Vikings (-1.5)
- Moneyline: Cleveland State (-125), IU Indianapolis (+105)
- Total: 170.5 points
College basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 3:35 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Watch college basketball on ESPN+!
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