Irsay had to be certain of whom he eventually would invest in so heavily. He had assumed control of the family-owned business after the death of his father, Robert, on Jan. 14, 1997, and this was a situation that required the CEO to be the point man in the vetting.
Manning acknowledged he knew little of Irsay at the time. Twelve years later, he knows enough. He knows an effective leader when he sees one.
“I just kind of like that presence,” Manning said. “He knows everything that’s going on, yet he lets the coaches coach and the general managers manage and the players play.”
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