Colts owner Jim Irsay donates $1 million to charity to cancer research at fundraiser with Andrew Luck, Chuck Pagano

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay donated $1 million to cancer research, thanks to his former quarterback and former coach. Irsay said he would donate the money if Andrew Luck and Chuck Pagano knocked down images with footballs in less than 60 seconds. The duo accomplished that with six seconds to spare.

This happened at the annual Chuck Pagano’s Chuckstrong Tailgate Gala, a fundraiser for the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. On Friday, the Colts announced $1.5 million was raised for cancer research.

“LUCK, WITH SIX SECONDS REMAINING!…!” 😂. Watch how Andrew pushes Chuck out of the way and take over in the clutch. For $1 mil to cancer research 👏🙂🏈 https://t.co/9uwOMsTOs6

— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) April 13, 2024

“Football gave me a lot,” Luck said, per Touchdown Wire. “Most importantly, again, the relationships and the experiences with people that I love, like Chuck. I think part of me feels — and I don’t mean this in a cheesy way — but part of me feels like it’s my turn to give back into this game, and this is what feels right at this moment.”

Andrew Luck talks retiring from the NFL

Luck was the Colts starting QB from 2012-2018. He abruptly retired before the 2019 season, leaving the Colts to search for a consistent starting QB for four seasons before drafting Anthony Richardson last year.

“When I retired, that part of it was put to bed in my mind in a very simple, sort of direct way,” Luck said, on Friday night, per the Indianpolis Star.  “There were a lot of complications around it, you know, certainly tormented inside, as you guys saw that night, but I think that part of it has stayed.”

Luck also talked about what football measns to him. “Football gave me a lot,” Luck said. “A lot. Most importantly, again, the relationships and the experiences with people that I loved. … I think part of me feels, and I don’t mean this in a cheesy way, but part of me feels like, you know, it’s my turn to give back to this game.”

Raised another $1.5 million for cancer research tonight at the 12th Annual Chuckstrong Tailgate Gala! pic.twitter.com/9SVliAZvMF

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 13, 2024

Chuck Pagano’s career with Colts

Pagano was Luck’s head coach for nearly his entire career (2012-2017). In his first three seasons, Pagano lead the Colts to three playoff appearances, two AFC South titles and an AFC Championship berth in 2014.

In his first season in Indianapolis, Pagano underwent treatment for leukemia and missed weeks five through 16. He returned to the team in the final week of the regular season as his cancer was in remission.

Pagano was fired as the Colts head coach after the 2017 season and spent the 2018 season as a consultant for multiple NFL teams. In 2019, Pagano was hired by the Chicago Bears to be the defensive coordinator and was there for two seasons. He announced his retirement in 2021.