Jim Irsay forced to update top-5 NFL list after backlash over Peyton Manning snub - "This dude is zonked out of his mind" 

On Friday, NFL legend Jim Brown died at the age 87. Many tributes flowed in his honor, including from Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who named him his number one player of all time.

However, that was not what fans focused on. Instead, they were surprised that he had excluded Peyton Manning, the Colts' long-serving franchise quarterback who had won a Super Bowl, among other accolades.

Irsay had tweeted:

"On my list of Top 5 Greatest NFL Players of All Time,in our 103 year History… I have Top 5 as 1)Jim Brown 2)Tom Brady 3)John Elway 4)Deacon Jones 5)Reggie White."

Following the initial backlash, Irsay hurriedly rectified his list, saying that his all-time top-5 ranking was casual and that he has now put more thought and reassessment. He tweeted again by including Manning and Tom Brady:

"My all-time top-5 ranking was casual, but I'm not above more thought and reassessment. My tweaks to my top-5: Jim Brown, the NFL “Babe Ruth,” always #1. Deacon #4. JERRY RICE; #5. And #2, neck-n-neck betw. Brady/Peyton, both amazing — to watch & contributors to the game"

However, it only attracted more mockery on Reddit. One said:

"This dude is zonked out of his mind, and I love it."

Here are some more reactions on Reddit.

Comment by u/Snake_in_my_boots from discussion [Jim Irsay] My all-time top-5 ranking was casual, but I’m not above more thought and reassessment. My tweaks to my top-5: Jim Brown, the NFL “Babe Ruth,” always #1. Deacon #4. JERRY RICE; #5. And #2, neck-n-neck betw. Brady/Peyton, both amazing — to watch & contributors to the game in nfl

Comment by u/Paladin8753 from discussion [Jim Irsay] My all-time top-5 ranking was casual, but I’m not above more thought and reassessment. My tweaks to my top-5: Jim Brown, the NFL “Babe Ruth,” always #1. Deacon #4. JERRY RICE; #5. And #2, neck-n-neck betw. Brady/Peyton, both amazing — to watch & contributors to the game in nfl

Comment by u/NebraskaAvenue from discussion [Jim Irsay] My all-time top-5 ranking was casual, but I’m not above more thought and reassessment. My tweaks to my top-5: Jim Brown, the NFL “Babe Ruth,” always #1. Deacon #4. JERRY RICE; #5. And #2, neck-n-neck betw. Brady/Peyton, both amazing — to watch & contributors to the game in nfl

Comment by u/rwjehs from discussion [Jim Irsay] My all-time top-5 ranking was casual, but I’m not above more thought and reassessment. My tweaks to my top-5: Jim Brown, the NFL “Babe Ruth,” always #1. Deacon #4. JERRY RICE; #5. And #2, neck-n-neck betw. Brady/Peyton, both amazing — to watch & contributors to the game in nfl

Comment by u/coltsmetsfan614 from discussion [Jim Irsay] My all-time top-5 ranking was casual, but I’m not above more thought and reassessment. My tweaks to my top-5: Jim Brown, the NFL “Babe Ruth,” always #1. Deacon #4. JERRY RICE; #5. And #2, neck-n-neck betw. Brady/Peyton, both amazing — to watch & contributors to the game in nfl

Comment by u/JPAnalyst from discussion [Jim Irsay] My all-time top-5 ranking was casual, but I’m not above more thought and reassessment. My tweaks to my top-5: Jim Brown, the NFL “Babe Ruth,” always #1. Deacon #4. JERRY RICE; #5. And #2, neck-n-neck betw. Brady/Peyton, both amazing — to watch & contributors to the game in nfl

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A look at Jim Irsay's relationship with Peyton Manning

It seems odd for an NFL team owner like Jim Irsay to completely exclude from a list of all-time greatest players the franchise quarterback that brought him a Super Bowl title and set multiple records. However, it turns out Irsay and Manning have not always had the best of relationships.

Even though the Colts turned into championship contenders (and even winners) with Manning under center, they were most of the time eliminated before they had a chance, which irked Irsay. Speaking to USA Today in 2013, Irsay said while showing his Super Bowl ring:

"(Tom) Brady never had consistent numbers, but he has three of these," Irsay adds. "Pittsburgh had two, the Giants had two, Baltimore had two, and we had one. That leaves you frustrated. You make the playoffs 11 times, and you're out in the first round seven out of 11 times. You love to have the Star Wars numbers from Peyton and Marvin (Harrison) and Reggie (Wayne). Mostly, you love this."

The relationship apparently only exacerbated when Manning suffered a neck injury and was forced to miss the 2011 season. The next year, the Colts drafted Andrew Luck, creating a positional controversy that ended with Manning's release.

However, even before his departure, Manning was already displeased with the team's situation. During the 2011 season, he had arranged unauthorized private workouts in the hopes of returning under center against the Houston Texans, but Irsay refused.

When asked about the details of the situation, the owner would only say:

"Things had gotten really, really bad."