[1] According to his estranged younger brother, Ronald, the family wasn't wealthy, "but my dad owned several buildings in Chicago and at one time was one of the largest tin knockers [sheet metal contractors] in the city.

[1] Years later, Irsay later denied his Jewish heritage, asserting without evidence and contrary to his mother's testimony that his father was actually his step-father and that he was, and always had been, Catholic.

"[3] Despite Ron dropping out of college to attempt to save the family business, Acord Ventilation went into rapid decline immediately after the charismatic salesman Bob's departure, terminating operations less than three years later.

[2] Irsay assumed ownership of the Baltimore Colts on July 13, 1972, after acquiring the Los Angeles Rams from the estate of Dan Reeves and swapping franchises with Carroll Rosenbloom, all made official on the same day.

He additionally announced the appointment of Joe Thomas as Baltimore's new general manager, succeeding Don Klosterman who accompanied Rosenbloom to Los Angeles.

[4] Irsay's first controversial act with the Colts was his changing of head coaches from Howard Schnellenberger to general manager Thomas after a 30–10 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles at Veterans Stadium on September 29, 1974, which extended the team's season-opening losing streak to three.

[6] While stalking the Colts sideline during the second half, he voiced his preference for Bert Jones as the starting quarterback over Marty Domres by asking Schnellenberger about when he was going to make such a change.

He was rehired two days later on September 7 after offensive and defensive coordinators Whitey Dovell and Maxie Baughan threatened to quit and the players considered boycotting practice, all in support of Marchibroda.

[9][10] Irsay's dysfunctional relationships with certain players in contract disputes and coaches accelerated the Colts' on-field decline in the ensuing years.

He was accused of bad faith bargaining and racial discrimination by running back Lydell Mitchell who was eventually sent to the San Diego Chargers on August 23, 1978.

[11] Defensive end John Dutton contended that Irsay had spread "too many lies" about him and sat out the early part of the 1979 campaign while demanding a trade.

Irsay claimed the city promised him a new football stadium, something they later denied, citing the team's poor attendance.

The next day, fearing a dawn raid on the team's Owings Mills headquarters, Irsay accepted a deal offered by the city of Indianapolis.

[2] According to Irsay, who is not a reliable narrator for details of his own biography, he had a second Catholic wedding to Pogorzelski, the daughter of Polish immigrants.

Irsay, who had divorced from Harriet, married Nancy Clifford on June 17, 1989, at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis; Hudnut officiated the ceremony.

Polian was succeeded as vice chair by Jim Irsay's three daughters — Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson — who are each part owners and vice-chairs of the team.