Shane Steichen Gave Heartfelt Tribute to Late Owner Jim Irsay After Colts' Win

The Colts honored late owner Jim Irsay throughout their dominant win over the Dolphins.

The Colts honored late owner Jim Irsay during the win over the Dolphins on Sunday. / Grace Hollars/IndyStar USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images-Imagn Images

The Colts commemorated late owner Jim Irsay on Sunday during their first game since Irsay's death in May.

Before facing the Dolphins, the Colts lined chairs across Lucas Oil Stadium with T-shirts saying "For The Boss" and gave out bobbleheads of Irsay. A mural of Irsay was unveiled on "Jim Irsay Street," and members of the team's Ring of Honor were in town to watch Irsay get inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime.

The Irsay family and #Colts Ring of Honor members join together for a photo with late owner Jim Irsay’s honorary jacket hanging in the horseshoe behind them.

The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” the perfect song for the moment. #Colts #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/UadcVHEoVe

— Angela Moryan (@AngelaMoryanTV) September 7, 2025

Perhaps the best way the Colts honored Irsay, though, was simply getting the win. The Colts dominated the Dolphins 33-8 to earn their first Week 1 victory since 2013 and "win for Jim."

"This one's a little more special. It's a little more special," head coach Shane Steichen told his players in the locker room after the game. "There's a man that gave so much to this city and this organization. He bleeded 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. He raised three daughters that run our football team, and we couldn't be more thankful."

"This one's a little more special"

Shane Steichen with an emotional @Colts locker room following their Week 1 win pic.twitter.com/4kE8gOtihI

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 7, 2025

On a day when many players on the Colts stood out, Steichen fittingly gave the game ball to Irsay's daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson, the new co-owners of the team.

“I thought it was really special and really fitting for them being full-time owners to get a game ball.”#Colts head coach Shane Steichen talks about giving the Irsay daughters game balls on the day their late father Jim goes into the Ring of Honor. @WISHNews8 | #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/zKe7Jp3ryX

— Angela Moryan (@AngelaMoryanTV) September 7, 2025

The Colts will continue to pay tribute to Irsay throughout the season by wearing special jersey patches in his honor, which they debuted against the Dolphins.

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