Every win in the NFL is deeply meaningful to every single person involved in it.
These things are not easy. Winning is hard. You only are guaranteed 17 opportunities per year. These are things you hear from players, coaches, staffers – anyone who has a hand in the massive amount of things it takes to win an NFL game.
But Sunday's win for the Colts – a 33-8 wire-to-wire dominant thumping of the Miami Dolphins – meant more to those involved. Much more.
This was the Colts' first game in 54 years in which Jim Irsay was not involved, whether it was as a ballboy or Owner and CEO. When Irsay died in May, the Colts dedicated their upcoming season to him. And, on Sunday – when he was inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor at halftime – there was no better way to honor him than by winning this game.
And, in a way, Irsay was very much involved in the Colts emerging with a 25-point victory.
"It was so important for us to get the win for Mr. Irsay and the Irsay family," left guard and team captain Quenton Nelson said. "He gave so much to this team, so much to this community. He just poured his heart out for Indianapolis, and we really wanted to get the win for him. It meant a lot to us. And I feel like we all played like that today."
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who caught the game's first touchdown, echoed that sentiment.
"We're playing for a bigger purpose, and everybody feels that," Pittman said. "And I think it showed today."
Irsay dedicated his life to not just winning, but winning the right way for the Colts and for the city of Indianapolis. He cared deeply for anyone who ever wore the Horseshoe. His love for the Colts impacted every corner of the organization, and was part of his legacy even the newest members of the team quickly learned.
"It's so cool hearing that you have an owner that's not just a guy with money dictating everything, he's a guy who truly cares about the Colts and truly cares about the city," safety Cam Bynum, who signed as a free agent in March, said. "... Him passing away, we just wanted to play for him and make it meaningful, especially for his daughters and their family."
Before the game, head coach Shane Steichen honored Irsay by presenting a custom Colts "Win For Jim" guitar – Irsay, of course, loved rock n' roll – to defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, the first player to carry that guitar into the stadium this season. The image of the guitar, and the message on it, resonated within the Colts' locker room.
"It means a lot to start that tradition," Buckner said. "It's a constant reminder each and every week that we're playing for something bigger."
At halftime, Irsay was inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor, with Super Bowl winning quarterback Peyton Manning delivering a speech before Owner and CEO Carlie-Irsay Gordon addressed the crowd. Irsay's name, now, is permanently adorned next to the greats of the franchise for which he cared so deeply.
After the game, Steichen awarded game balls to Irsay's daughters, Irsay-Gordon, Owner and Executive Vice President Casey Foyt and Owner and Chief Brand Officer & President of the Indianapolis Colts Foundation Kalen Jackson. Jackson then addressed the team, pointing out another fitting part of a special Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"Someone said the roof was open so he could watch," Jackson said, "and he was with every single one of you, including us."
