Peyton Manning seemingly has numerous tales about late Indianapolis Colts proprietor Jim Irsay, and the legendary quarterback shared an incredible one on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the sports activities world was surprised when the Colts introduced that Irsay had died at 65. Tributes instantly started flooding in, and Manning said he was “heartbroken” to listen to the information.
Manning spoke extra about his former boss throughout a Thursday look on ESPN’s “NFL Stay.” He recalled how Irsay attended the 1998 NFL Draft, when the Colts took Manning with the primary general choose. Manning mentioned it meant an incredible deal to him that Irsay known as the previous Tennessee star forward of the draft to seek out out which jersey quantity Manning wished to put on in Indianapolis.
“I have never watched each draft since then, however I do know it was very uncommon that the proprietor was on the draft. Jim Irsay handed (former NFL commissioner) Paul Tagliabue the cardboard that mentioned, ‘Colts choose Peyton Manning,'” Manning recalled. “He additionally wished to know what jersey quantity I wished to put on. … Jim had a No. 18 Manning Colts jersey FedEx’ed as much as the draft in New York. I believe I am the one participant ever to carry their precise jersey on the draft, not simply the No. 1.
“When that is your first day on the job and also you see your proprietor there, you see him eager to have my quantity, that advised me how dedicated he was to profitable. It was simply an effective way to begin your profession.”
Manning mentioned he’ll at all times be “indebted” to Irsay.
