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.

Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts and the man who oversaw one of the greatest eras in franchise history including a victory in Super Bowl XLI, died in his sleep Wednesday afternoon. He was 65.

Longtime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died on Wednesday, the franchise announced. Specifics of his death are not yet known, though Irsay has dealt with various health issues in recent years. The Colts said that Irsay “passed away peacefully in his sleep” on Wednesday afternoon.