ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 15, 1997 TAG: 9701150065
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: Washington Post
ROBERT IRSAY, viewed as a villain in Baltimore after moving the Colts in the dead of night, dies at age 73.
Robert Irsay, the NFL owner who moved the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis one snowy night in 1984 and immediately became a villain in one town and a hero in the other, died Tuesday from complications related to a stroke he suffered almost 14 months ago. He was 73.
Irsay had been in and out of hospitals since suffering the stroke on Nov. 29, 1995, though he watched his team's playoff game against Pittsburgh 17 days ago from his home in Carmel, Ind.
He was admitted to Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis on Monday with decreased heart and kidney function, according to hospital spokeswoman Kim Harper.
``The NFL family has lost a loyal and devoted member with the death of Robert Irsay,'' NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in a statement. ``He was a strong leader during his 24 years as Colts owner and the club's success continued during the last 14 months under his son Jim's direction. Bob served his beloved Illinois and Indiana communities not only through the Colts and his other business interests but also through the many charitable activities in which he and his family were involved.''
Jim Irsay, the younger of Bob's two sons, has been running the team for several years as vice president and general manager. Irsay's second wife, Nancy, and Jim have argued publicly in recent months over Bob Irsay's medical care and his financial affairs. Irsay's estate was put in a trust, though Nancy Irsay complained that the trustees were keeping her in the dark about Bob Irsay's financial affairs.
Born and raised in Chicago, Irsay made his money in the heating and air conditioning business. He first owned the Los Angeles Rams but traded that franchise to Carrol Rosenbloom for the Colts on July 26, 1972. In Baltimore, the Colts qualified for the playoffs in 1975, '76 and '77, but struggled otherwise after Irsay took over the team.
On March 28, 1984, workers loaded team equipment into moving vans at the Colts practice facility. The next day, the Maryland House of Delegates passed legislation authorizing Baltimore to claim the team through eminent domain; the city offered to buy the team from Irsay for $40 million.
By March 30, the equipment had been unloaded in Indianapolis and Irsay signed a 20-year lease to play in the Hoosier Dome.
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Irsay. color.by CNB