Members

Inductee
IRSAY, ROBERT
IRSAY, ROBERT
Born on March 5, 1923
Chicago, IL
January 14, 1997.
Inducted On
July 11, 1997
Location Inducted
Indianapolis, IN (Posthumously)
Region Number
7
Indpls Colts
Merit - Owner
Chicago, IL
1941
University of Illinois
Earned a degree in mechanical engineering
Mr. Irsay was an outstanding corporate and private citizen by establishing the NFL tradition in Indiana, founding the NFL tradition in the city of Indianapolis, and being an active supporter of many charitable organizations in Indianapolis. Those sentiments were echoed often during his tenure of Colts ownership over the next 13 years. The Colts captured the attention of all football followers in 1995 by winning road play-off games at San Diego (35-20) and Kansas City (10-7) to earn the right to meet Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship. A native of the "Bucktown" section of Chicago, he joined the US Marines in 1942, joined his father's business in 1946, and founded the Robert Irsay Company of Skokie, IL, in 1952. Mr. Irsay was particularly proud to have his son, Jim, follow his interest in football and the Colts franchise.
Professional Athletic Background: Became owner of the Baltimore Colts in July, 1972, when he traded the Los Angeles Rams for the Colts franchise; he moved the Colts franchise to Indianapolis on March 8, 1984, establishing the tradition of NFL football in Indiana, a state that has produced numerous players who have reached the National Football League.

Colts Accomplishments: AFC Eastern Division titles in 1975, 1976, 1977 while in Baltimore; AFC Eastern Division title in 1987 in Indianapolis; reached the championship game in 1996.