Ex-Colts lineman Brian Baldinger remembers Jim Irsay in heartfelt tribute after owner’s death at 65

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay passed away on Wednesday at 65. Irsay died peacefully in his sleep after battling health conditions in recent years.

Many around the league have honored Irsay and paid tribute to his legacy following his death. Brian Baldinger, who played on the offensive line for the Colts during his NFL career, spoke about some of his memories of Irsay during an appearance on Good Morning Football.

"It was a real gut punch," he said. "I had no idea that he was in that type of condition at this moment, but all of a sudden when that happens, and it's so instantaneous, you just get flooded with emotions ... I came to the Colts in 1988 when his father, Robert Irsay, owned the team, but basically Jim ran the team.

"My first impression of Jim, honestly, we're about the same age, I came to the culture, I was about 28 years old. It was of Jim lifting in the weight room with the players, and he played college football. I remember him lifting, like all of us, taking the smelling salts and putting the weight shirts, and squatting."

Brian Baldinger was impressed with Jim Irsay when he first arrived at the Colts. He specifically noted his focus on fitness, which he explained was another reason he was surprised by Irsay's death at 65.

Jim Irsay's legacy as Colts owner

Colts owner Jim Irsay

Jim Irsay was named the vice president and general manager of the Indianapolis Colts in 1984 at just 24 years old. His father Robert Irsay owned the team at the time. Robert passed away two years later and Jim took over as the principal owner of the franchise.

After the Colts struggled to take the next step forward, Irsay oversaw a change in fortunes following the 1997 NFL season. He hired general manager Bill Polian and head coach Tony Dungy before selecting Peyton Manning in the NFL draft. This group found a ton of success together, appearing in two Super Bowls and winning one.

Irsay drafted Andrew Luck following Manning's departure for the Denver Broncos, further demonstrating his general success in the position. He finished with a 257-194-1 record as the Colts owner and helped them to win 10 division titles.