Thanks Peyton for all your hard work…dick.
Loyal readers of The Machine know that we love excessive displays of wealth, power, and crazy. It’s why we love A-Rod, Mike Tyson, RHONJ, and 80’s Hair Metal. But even we have our limits…and our limit is reached when it comes to Jim Irsay.
Irsay is the owner of the Colts. He’s outspoken and passionate, loves guitars, and is a huge fan of Twitter. These things aren’t necessarily bad (ok, a 54-year-old man with a Twitter hard-on is a bit much) but throw in an over-bearing personality that loves to show off his wealth while at the same time professing he’s one of us, and it’s too much. As an owner, he subscribes to the Jerry Jones School of Ownership Meddling, and that puts him in the middle of our crosshairs.
The Sunday night game featured the (previously) undefeated Broncos at the Colts. Peyton Manning coming back to Indy to face his old team, you know, the team (and Owner) who thought he wasn’t good enough to keep playing. Andrew Luck ready to show the world he’s ready to be the next great Colts QB. A lot of meaningful storylines that added drama to this anticipated matchup. And then there’s Irsay.
In the weeks leading up to the big game, Irsay wasted no time making sure the Peyton Manning bridge to Indy was completely burned. In what can only be considered a backhanded compliment, Irsay noted the following in an interview with USA Today:
“We’ve changed our model a little bit, because we wanted more than one of these,” Irsay says, flicking up his right hand to show his Super Bowl XLI championship ring.
“(Tom) Brady never had consistent numbers, but he has three of these,” Irsay adds. “Pittsburgh had two, the Giants had two, Baltimore had two and we had one. That leaves you frustrated.”
“You make the playoffs 11 times, and you’re out in the first round seven out of 11 times. You love to have the Star Wars numbers from Peyton and Marvin (Harrison) and Reggie (Wayne). Mostly, you love this.” Then, Irsay flicks up his right hand again.
Now, obviously this was a dig at Peyton, and it was universally received as such. John Fox, coach of the Broncos, called it “disappointing and inappropriate” and Todd Helton, yes the baseball player, called Irsay classless and an idiot. This prompted Irsay to go to Twitter to set the record straight (note: the record has never been set straight via Twitter).
My comments meant if we gave Peyton better SP Teams n Def,we would have won more than 1 Sup/Bowl,instead of asking Peyton 2do too much
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013
Yeah, that totally makes sense. If that’s the case, why didn’t you say that? We’d have more respect for Irsay if he stood by his comments. Instead, he blames “the media” for twisting his words and (very logically) adding meaning to what he says.
As luck would have it (pun intended), the Colts won on Sunday night. This win alone speaks volumes, and should give Irsay all the satisfaction he needs. However, like every mega-ego maniac, Irsay wasn’t satisfied with letting the win do the talking. Back to Twitter!
What a Night! Great Video Tribute for #18,as our Fans cheered! Great Win as my Team gave me the VICTORIOUS Game Ball! SWEET! I was Humbled!
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 21, 2013
Ok, nice job trying to (re)build the Manning bridge (and good job recognizing that your fanbase still views him as a demi-god and would pick him over you any day). Then, things took a quick turn to crazy.
I do pray for you unhappy,shit-slingers…who wants to live on a planet with those who don’t like themselves..we want happy,kind people:)
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 21, 2013
Then, perhaps addressing (legitimate) questions like “hey man, it’s 3:00 in the morning and you’re dropping shit-slingers on Twitter…you hammered?” Irsay clarified his state of mind:
Actually working,sorry naysayers..I don’t drink…haven’t in over 15 years..I know when your unhappy or jealous it’s easy to b mean-spirited
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 21, 2013
And why haven’t you thrown one back in over 15 years, Jim? Oh yeah, that’s why.
Blue hair and glazed eyes definitely not alcohol induced.
Ok Jim, The Machine’s going to level with you: stop being a fame whore owner. You’ve done a good job building, and now rebuilding, the Colts. Let that serve as your body of work. Trashing former players, folding like a two dollar hooker when called out, and otherwise acting like a douche is not the way to go. Your eccentricities will eventually wear everyone down and turn them against you (see Davis, Al).
Nothing says “average joe” like posing in front of a dozen custom-made guitars and a Super Bowl trophy.
And stop trying to be a man of the people. You’re not one of us, buddy, and you’re not a Mark Cuban-like success story. You’re the owner of the Colts because your daddy was the owner of the Colts. Shit, the only things my dad gave me were bad knees and a receding hairline.
And stop tweeting so much, unless you want to RT this article. That’s cool.
Enjoy your Teabag.