SHOCKING: Its ‘a Hell of a Ride,’ Atlanta Falcons Great Matt Ryan says Goodbye to..

April 23, 2024 Soccerforall24

After ‘a Hell of a Ride,’ Atlanta Falcons Great Matt Ryan says Goodbye to NFL

Is Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame the next step for former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan?

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank leads a group of seven others into a college apartment in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

It’s the spring of 2008; Blank and his staff have made the two and a half hour flight to visit Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, a prime candidate to be Atlanta’s selection at No. 3 overall in the NFL Draft.

Ryan, then only 23 years old, suddenly had the fate of his future in front of him – relaxing at the same dinner table that encompassed his life throughout the entirety of his senior year.

Neither party knew walking through the door that the events of that night would shape the next 14 years of the Falcons’ organization.

“He did a remarkable job at holding court, answering questions, commanding the table, being present in every way,” Blank said. “And that really was exactly the way he led this franchise and played football.”

Ryan was still awaiting his first professional contract. He spoke with the maturity neither his age nor wallet suggested.

“I did not pick up the tab that evening,” Ryan said, jokingly.

Sixteen years later, Ryan was back in front of Blank – this time in the Falcons’ press room at team headquarters in Flowery Branch, formally announcing his retirement Monday.

Many others close to Ryan’s heart also attended. To his left stood wife Sarah and his three kids, Marshall, Johnny and Cal. In the first row of chairs to his left sat a trio of former teammates in center Todd McClure and receivers Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran.

Blank offered an introduction to the player who perhaps didn’t need one, during which he rattled off nine of Ryan’s franchise records and several other accomplishments, headlined by his MVP nod in 2016.

Atlanta signed Ryan to a one-day contract, allowing him the right to retire as a Falcon, bringing his career full circle from his time as a host in his final college home.

“It really is amazing to be standing here 16 years after having that dinner up in Massachusetts,” Ryan said. “It’s really been a blink.”

Ryan, now 38, grew up dreaming of playing professional sports. Blank and the Falcons gave him an “opportunity of a lifetime,” which he turned into a 15-year career that has him sitting top-10 in NFL history in passing yards and touchdowns.

He set the tone on his first professional pass, finding Jenkins for a 62-yard touchdown. The play – ‘zero strong 62 comet sink’ – featured a curl-flat combination on the front side.

Ryan approached offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey on Friday leading into the game about getting an easy first completion. Against the Detroit Lions’ defense, which featured 95 percent of Cover 6 coverage, Ryan expected to be throwing to the curl-flat side.

But this time, the Lions opted for the other five percent. Initially fazed, Ryan hit his back foot and launched to Jenkins on a skinny post – quite the introduction to an organization desperate for direction.

“Safeties start rotating pre-snap and I’m like, ‘Holy shit, I’ve got to throw the skinny post, I got to let it rip’” Ryan said. “I don’t remember celebrating. I’ve seen clips of it – afterwards, I was losing my mind. But that was a really cool start.”

Fittingly, Ryan’s last pass as a Falcon was also a touchdown, coming Week 18 of 2021 against the New Orleans Saints.

Two months later, Atlanta traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts for a third-round draft pick. The Falcons were ready for a fresh slate financially. Ryan wanted another chance at contention and the right to be where he was wanted most.

It’s an opportunity Ryan still says he’s grateful for, but one that came with significant struggles. He was benched twice and saw head coach Frank Reich lose his job midseason. Away from the field, Sarah was pregnant with Cal.

By this point, Ryan’s mind entered a new state centered around retirement.

“I’m not sure you ever truly give in to the fact that you’re no longer a player,” Ryan said. “It was the time in life for us as a family – my guys were starting school. There were other things outside myself that were important to me.”

Still, Ryan entertained offers. He had multiple conversations but didn’t receive any opportunities he particularly wanted.

And with that, Ryan’s career came to a close. Is Canton the next step?

For Ryan, who finished his professional tenure with 62,792 yards and 381 touchdowns to his name, the answer is yes – but he acknowledges the Hall of Fame is out of his control.

“I think my body of work is strong, and I think I did a lot of things the right way, but ultimately, it’s not really my call,” Ryan said. “So, it doesn’t really make a difference.”

Regardless of whether he ultimately ends up with a bust in Canton, Ryan said the 15-year-old version of himself would have no hesitations signing up for this career.

A native of Exton, Pennsylvania, Ryan grew up in the northeast. As a kid, he disliked the Braves due to their extensive rivalry with the Phillies.

During his teenage years, Ryan watched the Braves win one NL East title after another, spearheaded by the pitching staff of Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux.

But now, whether it be that trio or Chipper Jones or even Hawks star Dominique Wilkins, Ryan finds himself entrenched in the Mount Rushmore of Atlanta sports.

After ‘a Hell of a Ride,’ Atlanta Falcons Great Matt Ryan says Goodbye to NFL

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