Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, a Chicago-area native, died Wednesday. He was 65 years old.

Irsay became the Colts’ principal owner in 1997, and he had been involved with the team since his father, Robert, bought the team in 1987. Irsay was born in Lincolnwood, Ill., and attended Loyola Academy in Wilmette.

Bears owner George McCaskey issued the following statement honoring Irsay and what he meant to the city and the franchise.

The Colts won Super Bowl XLI by beating the Bears in 2007, which stands as the only championship won by the franchise in Indianapolis. Irsay oversaw an era of sustained Colts success when Peyton Manning was the team’s quarterback.

Here’s the Colts’ announcement of Irsay’s passing: