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

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 beRyan, 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.

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. 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 sittingHe 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.

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

The loss, Ryan said, still affects him – but he’s often reminded of the famous Winston Churchill quote that says success isn’t final, failure isn’t fatal and what ultimately counts is the courage to move forward.

Matt Ryan Hall Of Fame

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