Atlanta Falcons Shock Matt Ryan With Ultimate Team Honor

The Atlanta Falcons are a storied organization in the NFL, and they had the benefit of having one of the purest passers in the league for 14 seasons, Matt Ryan. Ryan was drafted No. 3 overall by the Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft and reinvigorated the franchise with new life immediately.

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Ryan spent a whopping 14 seasons under center for the Falcons, and in that time he secured a multitude of records, including holding franchise records for 59,735 passing yards and 367 passing touchdowns. He was a consummate professional throughout his career for the team, and he was recently asked to speak to the team to pump them up for the 2024 season. However, his trip to the Falcons’ facility wasn’t just for an impassioned speech.

Ryan gave a speech to the room about what it means to play for the Falcons, which he stated was about “Coming in and earning it every day.” He exclaimed that once the players prove themselves in the building, the city will also accept them. His speech ended in claps and cheers, only for him to turn around and be surprised with an induction into the Falcons Ring of Honor.

The shock on Ryan’s face is evident, as he is grinning from ear to ear. After a speech that moved the room, the announcement of his being inducted into the Ring of Honor by head coach Raheem Morris left him nearly speechless. Ryan simply stated, “I got nothing to respond to.”

Ryan was a force with the Falcons for many seasons. In his rookie season in 2008, the signal caller threw for 3,440 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, leading to an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year nod. He would only get better, securing Pro Bowl nods in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.

Ryan was also named NFL MVP in 2016 after securing 4,944 yards, 38 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 9.3-yard per completion percentage.

During Ryan’s time with the Falcons, the team would appear in the playoffs four times, including an NFC Championship game and Super Bowl appearance in 2016.

Ryan is currently No. 9 on the all-time NFL passing touchdowns list with 381 — 367 of which came during his time with the Falcons. His 62,792 passing yards also rank seventh on the all-time NFL list, with 59,735 coming from his time in Atlanta.

Ryan also holds the record for the most 300-yard career games with the Falcons franchise with 73, and his nickname of “Matty Ice” was well-known throughout the league for being clutch when it mattered. Though he never experienced a Super Bowl win, Ryan will forever be enshrined within the Falcons organization.