Peyton Manning Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Late Jim Irsay on ManningCast: ‘The Owner Every Player Would Want’
During an emotional moment on ManningCast, Peyton Manning paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Jim Irsay, the legendary owner of the Indianapolis Colts. This tribute came after Irsay was posthumously inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor during the 2025 season opener.
“We lost Jim in May, and Eli, he was the kind of owner every player would want to play for,” Peyton shared with his brother Eli Manning. “His office was at the practice facility, he was out there at practice every day, in the locker room after every game—home or away, win or loss—the answer was always ‘Yes’ if it helped the Colts win.”
Peyton continued, “It was an honor to play for him, and a great ceremony yesterday in Indianapolis, putting Jim Irsay in the rightful place in the Colts’ Ring of Honor.”
The news of Irsay’s passing in May deeply affected Manning, who posted on social media expressing his sorrow. Manning described Irsay as an “incredibly generous and passionate” owner and promised his “legacy will not be forgotten.”
“I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing,” Manning wrote. “He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner, and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL. His love for the Colts and the city of Indianapolis was unmatched. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, rest in peace my friend.”
Irsay passed away on May 21, 2025, at the age of 65, peacefully in his sleep at his Beverly Hills home. He was inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor during the 2025 season opener, facing the Miami Dolphins on September 7, a fitting tribute to his contributions to the franchise and the city of Indianapolis.
Manning’s tribute not only honors Irsay as an owner but also reflects the deep, personal bond between the two, emphasizing Irsay’s lasting legacy with the Colts and the players who had the privilege of playing under his leadership.
Owen Caissie Sends a Bold Message: "I'm Coming for My Shot, and I Won't Miss"
Owen Caissie may have been sent back to Triple-A, but his statement couldn’t be clearer: He’s not backing down. After a brief stint with the Chicago Cubs, the 22-year-old outfielder found himself back in the minors, but he’s far from discouraged. In fact, Caissie’s message to the team, the fans, and the MLB world is bold and unflinching: "I’m not waiting around forever. I’ve put in the work, and I’ll be ready to show what I can do. Whether it’s with the Cubs or somewhere else, I’m coming for my shot, and when it comes, I won’t miss."
The Cubs have been navigating injuries to key players like Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong, but in the midst of their struggles, Caissie’s brief MLB exposure left everyone wondering if the top prospect should have been given more opportunities. In his 24 plate appearances, Caissie hit his first career home run and showed flashes of the power that has been building in the minors. But despite his impressive performance, the Cubs opted to call up Kevin Alcantara, who fit better into their immediate roster needs.
The Caissie Conundrum: A Future Star or Trade Asset?
Caissie’s performance in Triple-A in 2025 has been nothing short of outstanding. With a slash line of .284/.385/.553 and 22 home runs in under 400 at-bats, he has clearly made strides, especially in terms of power. This improvement has raised the question: why isn’t he in the majors? While the Cubs are fighting for a playoff spot, the reality is that Caissie’s time may have to wait until 2026, depending on how things unfold with Tucker’s free agency and Alcantara’s role.
But here’s the catch: Caissie isn’t sitting idly by. His statement that he’s “coming for my shot” is a promise that he’s not going to let this opportunity slip through his fingers. Whether that means fighting for a spot in Chicago or getting dealt as a hot trade asset, Caissie’s determination is impossible to ignore. And when his chance finally comes, he’s going to make it count.
The Future Is Now: Will Caissie Break Through in 2026?
While 2025 may be a year of development for Caissie, his resolve to prove himself has set the stage for a potential breakout in 2026. With the Cubs looking at a future with Tucker possibly leaving, Caissie could become the long-term solution for the Cubs in right field or as a major part of their offensive depth. The Cubs are also focused on their postseason run, but if they fall short or make a surprising trade, Caissie could see his role in Chicago open up sooner rather than later.
"I’ll be ready to show what I can do," Caissie boldly stated. And when that moment arrives, you can bet he’ll make sure the world knows who he is.
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