15-year NFL veteran QB Matt Ryan has announced his retirement from football.
Ryan, nicknamed “Matty Ice,” spent four years at BC. He led the Eagles to some of the best moments in program history, from the last-second comeback at Lane Stadium to ascend to a #2 rank in the country, to an ACC Championship Game appearance, to back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in program history. In that 2007 season, he tossed for over 4,500 yards and 31 touchdowns, won ACC Player of the Year, and finished 7th in Heisman voting. Oh, and he was the cover athlete for “NCAA Football 09.”
After his successful career on the Heights, Ryan was selected third overall in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He would spend the next 14 years as their QB, including 10 straight (2011-2020) of 4,000+ passing yards. He won NFL MVP and OPOY in 2016, OROY in 2008, and made the Pro Bowl four times. After a one-year stint with the Indianapolis Colts, Ryan spent the last year working as an analyst before officially retiring.
He also recently returned to the Heights to see what Coach O’Brien is building now and to remain engaged with the program. He was great Eagle and an impressive pro. We congratulate him on a great career!