Voting Station

Robert Irsay

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Sports Executive

The Resume

    (March 5, 1923-January 19, 1997)
    Owned the Los Angeles Rams (1972), Baltimore Colts (1972-84) and Indianapolis Colts (1984-97)

Why he might be annoying:

    He called Baltimore coaches from the owner's box and demanded they run specific plays.
    Baltimore's first round draft pick of 1983, John Elway, refused to play for Irsay's Colts and said he'd play baseball if he wasn't traded to another team.
    He moved the Colts out of Baltimore in the dead of night.
    After moving to Indianapolis, he told a local group of team boosters, 'It's not your team. It's not our team. It's my family's team. I paid for it.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    His lawyer argued that the sudden move was forced by Baltimore when the city threatened to use eminent domain to seize the team.
    Irsay ended up receiving less money from Indianapolis than he was being offered by Baltimore.
    Irsay described his welcome at the Colts' new home, the Hoosier Dome, as 'the greatest thrill I've had in football.'
    After moving to Indianapolis, Irsay became more involved with the community, donating to local charities.
    Irsay's move prompted the city of Baltimore to build Camden Yards to keep baseball's Orioles in town.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 45 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 2905 Votes: 32.12% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1663 Votes: 31.81% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 1167 Votes: 46.44% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 7813 Votes: 64.60% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 13435 Votes: 40.88% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 19448 Votes: 33.69% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 9846 Votes: 39.53% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3673 Votes: 21.07% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 406 Votes: 56.90% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 6253 Votes: 29.52% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 313 Votes: 26.20% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 14041 Votes: 63.41% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 28408 Votes: 37.70% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 20293 Votes: 26.77% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 5521 Votes: 31.82% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 30 Votes: 63.33% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 82 Votes: 76.83% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 44 Votes: 61.36% Annoying