The team announced today that the jersey patch in question will be worn for the 2025-26 season.
The Indianapolis Colts will honor late owner Jim Irsay with a black commemorative jersey patch that will be worn for the upcoming 2025-26 season, the team announced.
NFL jersey patches are somewhat special to the league itself, given that the NFL utilizes this type of commemoration more often than any of the neighboring professional leagues. These patches in question are typically used to honor individuals, commemorate specific events, and/or recognize milestones.
The biggest difference in jersey patches that separates the NFL from the rest of the sports universe is that they’re the only league to have fended off the new wave of sponsorship jersey patches, saving such alterations for important events, people, and memories.
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via: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ commemorative patch for Jim Irsay features the late owner’s initials as well as his trademark smiley face. Whether he was signing autographs for fans on $100 bills or mini footballs, Irsay made sure to include his signature smiley. Now, at least for the upcoming season, fans will be reminded of that smile in question — a smile that provided countless Colts fans with memories that’ll last a lifetime.
As far as the rest of the patch’s logo goes, it also features seven grommets, linking it to the very seven grommets that make up the Colts’ iconic horseshoe logo. After all, this team was Jim Irsay’s fourth child. It only makes sense that his name is synonymous with the organization.
The Colts also changed its profile picture(s) on all social media sites from the horseshoe to Mr. Irsay’s commemorative logo for the foreseeable future. It is suggested via the Colts website that these patches are here to stay for the entirety of the 2025-26 season, both in-game and on the internet.