Former Colts WR Reggie Wayne Emotionally Honors Late NFL Owner Jim Irsay: 'He Would Have Done Anything for Anybody'

Reggie Wayne, nan legendary Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, had an affectional connection for nan team’s existent receiver corps arsenic nan Colts returned to believe for nan first clip since longtime proprietor Jim Irsay’s death.

"I told nan receivers, a batch of y'all don't really cognize him but he would've done thing for anybody," an affectional Wayne, 46, told reporters aft believe connected Wednesday, May 28, according to ESPN and CBS Sports.

The NFL prima added, "He would've gave nan apparel disconnected his backmost ... I said, y'all sewage to push your asses for him. He would've done that for y'all. So, that's what I told them. I said, 'Y'all sewage homework to do, man. Read astir him. Learn astir him.' "

Wayne is presently nan Colts’ existent wide receivers coach, joining nan squad successful nan position successful 2022. Alongside backmost Peyton Manning, he played 14 seasons pinch Indianapolis and helped nan squad triumph nan Super Bowl successful 2007 earlier retiring successful 2015.

On May 21, Irsay died successful his slumber astatine nan property of 65, nan squad announced. A origin of decease has not been disclosed.

Irsay was nan team’s longtime owner, having operated arsenic its CEO from 1997 until his decease past week. Prior to that, Irsay was wide head of nan Colts from 1984 to 1996.

“Jim's dedication and passion for nan Indianapolis Colts successful summation to his generosity, committedness to nan community, and astir importantly, his emotion for his family were unsurpassed. Our deepest sympathies spell to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his full family arsenic we grieve pinch them,” nan squad posted to X.

Irsay, who was joined to Meg Coyle from 1980 until 2014, had 3 daughters: Carlie, Casey and Kalen. He is survived by 10 grandchildren.

The Colts’ longtime proprietor will beryllium memorialized connected Monday, June 2 successful a backstage ceremonial successful Indianapolis, according to NFL.com, while nan squad says it’s moving connected mounting up a nationalist tribute arsenic well.

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On Wednesday, respective existent Colts players and coaches shared memories of Irsay, who will beryllium honored pinch a spot connected their jerseys passim nan 2025-26 NFL season.

Defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis told reporters he still remembers nan time he was drafted and an enthusiastic Irsay called him to show him nan news. "I was like, 'This dude is really excited.' ... And conscionable aft games, whether we won aliases lost, Jim was ever pinch us,” Lewis said, according to ESPN.

He added, "That was nan point I loved nan astir about Jim. It was ever nan players, nan team, nan organization, nan family."

Colts caput coach Shane Steichen called Irsay a “phenomenal quality being,” according to CBS. “You cognize really generous he was,” Steichen said, adding, “We’re going to triumph for him this year.”