INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts went through a transformation this offseason. They were more aggressive in player acquisition, they got a new starting quarterback, and new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo gave that side of the ball a facelift.
However, the biggest change the Colts experienced was the passing of owner Jim Irsay on May 21 at the age of 65.
The Colts have been very intentional since then to honor Irsay in every way possible. Sunday's season opener against the Miami Dolphins was a grand display of such, as Irsay was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium at halftime, and the team made numerous other displays of recognition leading up to and throughout the day.
The most significant way that Colts head coach Shane Steichen intends to honor Irsay's legacy throughout the season is to win, and the team did just that on Sunday, manhandling the Dolphins, 33-8, in a game that would've had Irsay grinning from ear to ear.
Following the game, while addressing the team in the locker room, Steichen made it a point to mention why the victory was so meaningful, but also to discuss the impact that Irsay's daughters — the team's new owners, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Kalen Jackson, and Casey Foyt have on them. Steichen also gifted each of the sisters with a game ball on a day that was all about remembering their father:
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"Real quick, this one's a little more special," Steichen said. "There's a man that gave so much to this city and this organization, right? He (bled) blue. He represented The Horseshoe every single day. He loved this team. He's not with us physically, but he's in this locker room spiritually. He's watching down on us, right?"
"And he raised three daughters to run a football team, and we couldn't be more thankful for you three girls," Steichen continued. "It means a lot to me and everyone in this organization how he raised you guys to put you in this position to go lead this organization, and we're so thankful for all three of you guys. And we've got three game balls here."
Steichen then handed a game ball to each of Irsay-Gordon, Jackson, and Foyt, which prompted the players in the locker room to shout "speech!" at Jackson as she accepted hers.
"This means so much," Jackson began, her voice full of emotion. "Someone said the roof was open (at Lucas Oil Stadium) so he could watch us, and he was with every single one of you, including us. And thank you for doing this for us, but for him. He loved this team so much, and this really, really means a lot. These types of moments are what meant every— every single moment like this, he would tell us as part of our bedtime stories. Like, this meant everything, and it also means so much to us. So, from the bottom of all our hearts, thank you, thank you, thank you."
Steichen then had the locker room do a huddle breakdown with one clear message:
"Win for Jim!"
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.