Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts owner and force behind Tokitae鈥檚 return to PNW, dies at 65
May 22, 2025, 7:57 AM | Updated: 7:57 am
Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts owner and force behind Tokitae鈥檚 return to PNW, dies at 65. (Photo: Zach Bolinger, The Associated Press)
(Photo: Zach Bolinger, The Associated Press)
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who had led the team since 1997 and presided over one of the storied franchise鈥檚 greatest eras, died at the age of 65.
Locally, Irsay became a huge part of the movement to bring Tokitae back to Puget Sound waters.
Tokitae, an endangered southern resident orca, was taken from Penn Cove on Aug. 8, 1970 in a mass capture of orcas. She was just four years old.
She was taken to the Miami Seaquarium, where she remained until her death in August 2023– 53 years. Tokitae was forced to perform for a public audience and lived in a 20-foot deep tank. She was given the name 鈥淟olita鈥� at the Seaquarium.
Tokitae was the only surviving whale of the seven captured on Aug. 8, 1970 until her death. She also outlived other whales captured after her who were sold to theme parks.
Following a documentary about her in 2003, which pre-dated the famous 鈥楤lackfish鈥� documentary, word began to spread about her health and living conditions.
When an agreement with the Seaquarium was reached in 2023 to bring Tokitae back to Puget Sound to live out her last few years, one of the biggest issues raised was the logistics of getting a 7,000 pound whale from Florida to Washington.
That鈥檚 where Irsay came in.
The cost to move her was estimated to be up to $20 million and would need approval from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. That doesn鈥檛 include the cost it would be to create a safe home for her with barricades and provide constant care, food and veterinary exams
On the Pat McAfee show on ESPN, Irsay committed to bankroll her transport and ongoing care. Before her death, she was trained to get into a sling that would have eventually been used to get her into a C-17 military transport plane.
I鈥檓 into this thing with my hands on as a producer, and it was going nowhere,鈥� Irsay said on the Patt McAfee Show. 鈥淚鈥檓 putting up tens and tens of millions of dollars. I said, 鈥楲et鈥檚 go. She鈥檚 healthy, I got the money. Let鈥檚 move and get all these permits.鈥�
We鈥檙e going to get a big C 17 or 747. We have her tanks. She鈥檚 been practicing getting in her netting so she can get put in the tank,鈥� Irsay continued. 鈥淚t鈥檚 four feet of natural water with whale whispers and vets with her. All the vets are moving out there, all the trainers, I鈥檓 getting housing for them. This is being planned to the detail with aggressive nature of saying, let鈥檚 try to get this done.鈥�
Unfortunately, Tokitae died before these plans could be put in place.
On top of efforts to free Tokitae, Irsay is remembered for his other philanthropic acts. He started an organization aimed at tackling advocacy and resources for those experiencing a mental health crisis in Indiana, and has advocated for music programs and animal welfare.
In 1997, he was the youngest NFL franchise owner with the Colts. Under Irsay鈥檚 watch, the Colts advanced to two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLI after the 2006 season.
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Irsay died at the age of 65 on May 20. His cause of death is unknown but Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward said he 鈥渄ied peacefully in his sleep.鈥�
Irsay is survived by his daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson; his ex-wife and his daughters鈥� mother, Meg Coyle; and 10 grandchildren. Irsay is survived by his daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson; his ex-wife and his daughters鈥� mother, Meg Coyle; and 10 grandchildren, according to ESPN.
