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Indianapolis Colts large and existent wide receivers manager Reggie Wayne fought backmost tears during the team’s archetypal media availability connected Wednesday pursuing the decease of longtime proprietor Jim Irsay.
It was an affectional infinitesimal for Wayne, a six-time Pro Bowler and a subordinate of the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI winning team, arsenic helium spoke astir his narration with Irsay, who passed distant successful his slumber past week astatine property 65.
FILE - Indianapolis Colts proprietor Jim Irsay (L) talks with erstwhile subordinate Reggie Wayne earlier the crippled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers astatine Lucas Oil Stadium connected Nov. 29, 2015, successful Indianapolis, Indiana. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
"It’s similar losing a household member. There were times that I felt similar [Irsay] treated maine similar I was 1 of his sons adjacent though helium didn’t person any," Wayne managed a grin arsenic helium spoke to reporters.
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"When you suffer thing similar that, it decidedly shocks the soul."
Irsay famously began his shot vocation arsenic a shot lad erstwhile his begetter archetypal purchased the squad successful 1972 – erstwhile the Colts inactive played successful Baltimore. He dilatory moved up the ranks and became the youngest squad proprietor astatine 37 erstwhile helium took implicit for his begetter pursuing his decease successful 1997.
"He had the biggest bosom successful the city. I deliberation we each cognize however caring helium was, however casual helium was arsenic acold arsenic giving… I deliberation helium was decidedly the bosom of this city," Wayne continued.
FILE - Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne motions aft gaining a archetypal down against the Houston Texans during the 4th fourth of an NFL shot crippled successful Indianapolis, Indiana Dec. 30, 2012. (REUTERS/Brent Smith )
Wayne played his full 14-year vocation with the Colts aft being drafted retired of the University of Miami with the 30th wide prime successful 2001. He led the league successful receiving yards successful 2007, was three-time All-Pro and ranks 2nd successful franchise past for astir receiving records down Marvin Harrison. He returned to the Colts successful 2022 arsenic an adjunct coach.
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While reminiscing astir his clip with Irsay, Wayne struggled to explicate the connection helium shared with receivers aft learning astir Irsay’s passing.
"I told the receivers, I said, ‘A batch of y’all don’t truly cognize him but helium would've done thing for anybody. He would've gave the apparel disconnected his back," helium said tearfully.
"He cared astir his players. He cared astir his team. He cared astir the city. And it wasn’t conscionable the players, helium cared astir the radical successful the building. He was that dude. And I told them, I said consecutive up ‘Man, y’all don’t truly cognize him but y'all got to propulsion your ass for him. Because helium would've done that for y'all. So, that's what I told them. I said, 'Y'all got homework to do, man. Read astir him. Learn astir him. So that you truly cognize the benignant of idiosyncratic helium was.'"
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers manager Reggie Wayne prepares for a drill Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2023, during mandatory minicamp astatine the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center successful Indianapolis. (Mykal McEldowney-USA TODAY Sports)
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Irsay battled wellness and addiction issues successful his life. Despite his struggles, helium restored glory to the franchise and near an everlasting interaction connected the organization.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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