A quarter-century later, following a 2-14 record in 2011, Irsay tested the fans' loyalties by releasing a 34-year-old Manning, who missed the entire season with a neck injury. The rebuild began around rookie QB Andrew Luck — a move that drew comparisons to his father's trade of Unitas in 1973 and the subsequent selection of Jones in the draft.

While appearing on ESPN's NFL Live, Colts' Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning reflected on Jim Irsay's legacy and the shift that the city of Indianapolis made into being a "football town." "When I got there,

After the passing of Jim Irsay, Peyton Manning spoke about the impact the owner had on the Colts in making Indianapolis a football town.