Matt Ryan. Photo: Screengrab
Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday as he signed a one-day contract to retire as a Falcon.
Ryan quickly became the face of the Falcons during the most successful era in franchise history. He has turned 39 next month, has 381 touchdowns, and has thrown for 62,792 yards in his career.
Matt Ryan, 38, spanned his professional career spanned from 2008-22, reports abcnews.com.
Except for one season, he spent his entire career with the franchise that offered him his first opportunity at the age of 22.
Ryan was named the NFL’s most valuable player in 2016. Before spending the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts, the quarterback played for the Atlanta Falcons from 2008.
By signing a one-day contract with Atlanta having not played last season, he called his career “a hell of a ride”, officially bringing it to an end.
Ryan said he is honoured to retire as a Falcon. He is very lucky that he started and his finish was in Atlanta.
In 2008, he was drafted third overall by the Falcons. He led them to the playoffs six times and to the Super Bowl in 2017.
During his Atlanta tenure, he was a four-time Pro Bowler selectee and remarkably durable over his career. He missed only three games due to injury.
He made 154 consecutive starts before a high ankle sprain sidelined him for one week in 2019 after turf toe sidelined him for two games during the 2009 season. Ryan completed his career with a record of 124-109-1 as a starter including a 120-102 mark with the Falcons.