Jon Ryan
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Robert Ryan is a Canadian professional gridiron football
player who is currently the punter for the Seattle Seahawks
of the National Football League
(NFL). He played college football
for the University of Regina
Rams
, and began his professional career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
of the Canadian Football League
(CFL) after being selected in the Canadian College Draft
. He was then signed by the Green Bay Packers of the NFL in 2006 and joined the Seahawks in 2008.
, Saskatchewan
. He attended Sheldon-Williams Collegiate
for high school, where he played as running back
, placekicker
and punter on the school's football team. He then attended the University of Regina
, where he played both punter and wide receiver
for the Regina Rams
football team from 2000-2003. During his sophomore
season with the Rams, he caught a 109 yard touchdown
pass, and led the team in receiving, in addition to his kicking duties. After his fourth year with the Rams, Ryan picked up several team awards, including Best Special Teams Player, Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player. He was also named a first team Canada West All-Star, and a CIS All-Star. Ryan also ran track
for the University of Regina
. in track he did sprints. Ryan has also been known to be straight edge
of the Canadian Football League
(CFL) selected Ryan as a punter and wide receiver in the third round of Canadian College Draft
, making him the 24th overall pick. Ryan joined the Blue Bombers for the 2004 CFL Season
. During his rookie season, Ryan finished second in punting average to Noel Prefontaine
of the Toronto Argonauts
.
During the 2005 season, Ryan lead the league with a 50.6 yard average, while punting the most out of all league punters, 118 times. NFL talk buzzed around Ryan's future, while midway through the year, there was also speculation that Ryan may take over the kicking duties as well from aging veteran Troy Westwood
. It was also believed that Ryan was practicing field goals during the teams practices.
's Green Bay Packers. He is only the third Saskatchewan
native to make it to the NFL, following Arnie Weinmeister
and Rueben Mayes
.
During training camp in 2006 he found out his father, Bob, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he persevered through a tough season, which included punting in a game two days after his father's death. His teammates voted him as the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award
in 2006 for his display of courage and sportsmanship, and for being an inspiration in the locker room.
On September 30, 2007 against the Minnesota Vikings
he became the first Packers punter to rush for a first down since David Beverly
did so against the Houston Oilers on December 14, 1980. His rush attempt that resulted in a gain of 7 yards came on a fake punt that was originally intended to be a pass, however, he did not hear the coaches call it off at the last minute. He ran with the ball when he realized he had no one to throw to and ran into several of his blockers in the process because they did not know he was running with the ball.
On December 23, 2007 Ryan had two of his punts blocked by the Chicago Bears
, including one that was returned for a touchdown. He also had a nine yard punt during the game and bobbled a snap on another that lead to a turnover on downs. Before this, the Packers went 929 punts without a blocked punt, dating back to September 11, 1995.
On December 30, 2007 during a 34-13 victory over the Detroit Lions, Ryan kicked a 72-yard punt in the fourth quarter, the longest punt at Lambeau Field since 1965. The punt tied for the longest in franchise history - set by Sean Landeta
September 20, 1998 at Cincinnati.
During the 2007 season, Ryan posted a net average of 37.6 yards, 12th in the NFL and the finest in Green Bay since 1969. His gross mark of 44.4 was the fourth-best in club history.
Ryan was released by the Packers on September 1, 2008, a move that was considered by many Packer fans to be a mistake and bewildering as Ryan boasted the best punting statistics the team had seen in years.
Following Week 1 of the 2008 regular season, Ryan signed with the Seattle Seahawks
on September 9. In Week 8 against the San Francisco 49er's, he kicked a 63 yd punt, a 60 yd punt and a 55 yd punt. He had a great 2008 season and finished with 78 punts averaging 45.6 yards.
• 2009-2010
In his Week 6 game of the 2009-2010 NFL season, he threw a 42 yard pass against the Arizona Cardinals to garner a 119 QB rating for the season.
After the 2009/2010 Season Jon Ryan signed a six year $9.1 million dollar contract with $1.9 million guaranteed and $1.6 million in signing bonus. He was also named a Pro Bowl
alternate for his fantastic 2009 season.
• 2010-2011
On October 17, in a game against the Chicago Bears, Jon was hit by Earl Bennett while trying to make a tackle on Devin Hester
's 89 yard punt return for a touchdown. Jon's ribs were injured, but not fractured.
• Jon Ryan played in the final game of the 2010 regular season against the St. Louis Rams and landed a punt on the 2 yard line on the fly towards the end of the first quarter. Later, in the fourth quarter, he pinned the Rams inside of their own 10 yard line again, this time kicking it down to the 7 yard line. His efforts helped the Seattle Seahawks secure the final playoff spot remaining in the 2010 NFL season. This marks the first time that a team with a losing record (7-9) has made the NFL playoffs as a Division Champion (NFC West).
Gridiron football
Gridiron football , sometimes known as North American football, is an umbrella term for related codes of football primarily played in the United States and Canada. The predominant forms of gridiron football are American football and Canadian football...
player who is currently the punter for the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the University of Regina
University of Regina
The University of Regina is a public research university located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Founded in 1911 as a private denominational high school of the Methodist Church of Canada, it began an association with the University of Saskatchewan as a junior college in 1925, and was disaffiliated...
Rams
Regina Rams
The Regina Rams are the CIS football team that represents the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Rams nickname is used by the university's football team only; all other teams at the school are named Regina Cougars...
, and began his professional career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL) after being selected in the Canadian College Draft
Canadian College Draft
The Canadian College Draft is an annual sports draft in which the teams of the Canadian Football League select eligible Canadian/non-import players, typically from the ranks of CIS football or NCAA college football...
. He was then signed by the Green Bay Packers of the NFL in 2006 and joined the Seahawks in 2008.
Early years
Ryan was born and raised in ReginaRegina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
. He attended Sheldon-Williams Collegiate
Sheldon-Williams Collegiate
Sheldon-Williams Collegiate is a high school situated in the Lakeview neighbourhood of south Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It opened in 1956, and is named after Catherine Sheldon-Williams, a British immigrant and teacher who was a member of the Regina Public School Division.Sheldon offers a...
for high school, where he played as running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
and punter on the school's football team. He then attended the University of Regina
University of Regina
The University of Regina is a public research university located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Founded in 1911 as a private denominational high school of the Methodist Church of Canada, it began an association with the University of Saskatchewan as a junior college in 1925, and was disaffiliated...
, where he played both punter and wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Regina Rams
Regina Rams
The Regina Rams are the CIS football team that represents the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Rams nickname is used by the university's football team only; all other teams at the school are named Regina Cougars...
football team from 2000-2003. During his sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
season with the Rams, he caught a 109 yard touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
pass, and led the team in receiving, in addition to his kicking duties. After his fourth year with the Rams, Ryan picked up several team awards, including Best Special Teams Player, Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player. He was also named a first team Canada West All-Star, and a CIS All-Star. Ryan also ran track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
for the University of Regina
University of Regina
The University of Regina is a public research university located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Founded in 1911 as a private denominational high school of the Methodist Church of Canada, it began an association with the University of Saskatchewan as a junior college in 1925, and was disaffiliated...
. in track he did sprints. Ryan has also been known to be straight edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
In 2004, the Winnipeg Blue BombersWinnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL) selected Ryan as a punter and wide receiver in the third round of Canadian College Draft
Canadian College Draft
The Canadian College Draft is an annual sports draft in which the teams of the Canadian Football League select eligible Canadian/non-import players, typically from the ranks of CIS football or NCAA college football...
, making him the 24th overall pick. Ryan joined the Blue Bombers for the 2004 CFL Season
2004 CFL season
The 2004 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 51st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 47th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2004:...
. During his rookie season, Ryan finished second in punting average to Noel Prefontaine
Noel Prefontaine
Noel Prefontaine is a professional Canadian football punter / kicker with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.- Early years :...
of the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
.
During the 2005 season, Ryan lead the league with a 50.6 yard average, while punting the most out of all league punters, 118 times. NFL talk buzzed around Ryan's future, while midway through the year, there was also speculation that Ryan may take over the kicking duties as well from aging veteran Troy Westwood
Troy Westwood
Troy Westwood is a Canadian Football League place kicker and punter who played 17 years for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers....
. It was also believed that Ryan was practicing field goals during the teams practices.
Green Bay Packers
In January 2006 he signed a contract with the National Football LeagueNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Green Bay Packers. He is only the third Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
native to make it to the NFL, following Arnie Weinmeister
Arnie Weinmeister
Arnold George Weinmeister was an American football defensive tackle. He went to four Pro Bowls, but with only a six-year tenure in the All-America Football Conference and National Football League combined, his career is one of the shortest of any Pro Football Hall of Fame member...
and Rueben Mayes
Rueben Mayes
Rueben Mayes is a Canadian who played in the National Football League from 1986 to 1993.He first gained notoriety as a running back at North Battleford Comprehensive High School in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. In 1980 Mayes led the NBCHS Vikings to an undefeated season and the SHSAA 3A...
.
During training camp in 2006 he found out his father, Bob, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he persevered through a tough season, which included punting in a game two days after his father's death. His teammates voted him as the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award
Ed Block Courage Award
The Ed Block Courage Award is an annual award presented to selected players in the National Football League , who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage. Named in memory of Ed Block, a well-liked humanitarian and trainer for the Baltimore Colts, the...
in 2006 for his display of courage and sportsmanship, and for being an inspiration in the locker room.
On September 30, 2007 against the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
he became the first Packers punter to rush for a first down since David Beverly
David Beverly (football player)
David Edward Beverly is a former American football punter who played seven seasons in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers and the Green Bay Packers. He played as quarterback and punter for Sweet Water High School...
did so against the Houston Oilers on December 14, 1980. His rush attempt that resulted in a gain of 7 yards came on a fake punt that was originally intended to be a pass, however, he did not hear the coaches call it off at the last minute. He ran with the ball when he realized he had no one to throw to and ran into several of his blockers in the process because they did not know he was running with the ball.
On December 23, 2007 Ryan had two of his punts blocked by the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, including one that was returned for a touchdown. He also had a nine yard punt during the game and bobbled a snap on another that lead to a turnover on downs. Before this, the Packers went 929 punts without a blocked punt, dating back to September 11, 1995.
On December 30, 2007 during a 34-13 victory over the Detroit Lions, Ryan kicked a 72-yard punt in the fourth quarter, the longest punt at Lambeau Field since 1965. The punt tied for the longest in franchise history - set by Sean Landeta
Sean Landeta
Sean Edward Landeta is a former American football punter who played in both the United States Football League and the National Football League...
September 20, 1998 at Cincinnati.
During the 2007 season, Ryan posted a net average of 37.6 yards, 12th in the NFL and the finest in Green Bay since 1969. His gross mark of 44.4 was the fourth-best in club history.
Ryan was released by the Packers on September 1, 2008, a move that was considered by many Packer fans to be a mistake and bewildering as Ryan boasted the best punting statistics the team had seen in years.
Seattle Seahawks
• 2008-2009Following Week 1 of the 2008 regular season, Ryan signed with the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
on September 9. In Week 8 against the San Francisco 49er's, he kicked a 63 yd punt, a 60 yd punt and a 55 yd punt. He had a great 2008 season and finished with 78 punts averaging 45.6 yards.
• 2009-2010
In his Week 6 game of the 2009-2010 NFL season, he threw a 42 yard pass against the Arizona Cardinals to garner a 119 QB rating for the season.
After the 2009/2010 Season Jon Ryan signed a six year $9.1 million dollar contract with $1.9 million guaranteed and $1.6 million in signing bonus. He was also named a Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
alternate for his fantastic 2009 season.
• 2010-2011
On October 17, in a game against the Chicago Bears, Jon was hit by Earl Bennett while trying to make a tackle on Devin Hester
Devin Hester
Devin Hester is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Miami, where he became the first person in the university’s recent history to play in all three phases of American football...
's 89 yard punt return for a touchdown. Jon's ribs were injured, but not fractured.
• Jon Ryan played in the final game of the 2010 regular season against the St. Louis Rams and landed a punt on the 2 yard line on the fly towards the end of the first quarter. Later, in the fourth quarter, he pinned the Rams inside of their own 10 yard line again, this time kicking it down to the 7 yard line. His efforts helped the Seattle Seahawks secure the final playoff spot remaining in the 2010 NFL season. This marks the first time that a team with a losing record (7-9) has made the NFL playoffs as a Division Champion (NFC West).