Jon Ryan

Infobox NFLactive


caption=Jon Ryan holding for a Mason Crosby field goal
currentteam=Seattle Seahawks
currentnumber=9
currentpositionplain=Punter
birthdate=birth date and age|1981|11|26
birthplace=Regina, Saskatchewan
country=Canada
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=202
debutyear=2006
debutteam=Green Bay Packers
college=Regina
undraftedyear=2004
pastteams=
* Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2004-2005)
* Green Bay Packers (2006-2007)
* Seattle Seahawks (2008-present)
status=Active
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Punts
statvalue1=144
statlabel2=Punt Yards
statvalue2=6,403
statlabel3=Punting Yard Average
statvalue3=44.5
nfl=RYA229481

Jonathan Robert Ryan (born November 26, 1981 in city-state|Regina|Saskatchewan) is an American football punter for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Regina.

Ryan has also played for the Green Bay Packers.

Early years

Ryan played for the University of Regina Rams and for the Sheldon-Williams Spartans, a high school located in his hometown. In high school he played as running back, placekicker and punter.

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

In January 2006 he signed a contract with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. He is only the third Saskatchewan native to make it to the NFL (the other two being 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. [Eric Goska " [http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071001/PKR07/710010547/1947 "Eric Goska column: Jones making history, too"] ", October 1, 2007. Accessed 1 October, 2007.] 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. [Mike Vandermause " [http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071001/PKR0201/710010551/1058/PKRFeatures "Mike Vandermause's Rants & Raves"] ", October 1, 2007. Accessed 1 October, 2007.] 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.cite web | url = http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?season=2007&week=REG17&game_id=29440| title = Green Bay rolls over Detroit | publisher = NFL.com| accessdate = 2007-12-30] The punt tied for the longest in franchise history - set by Sean Landeta September 20, 1998 at Cincinnati. cite web | url =http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports//index.php?ntid=264725 | title = Ryan has gratifying afternoon | publisher = Wisconsin State Journal | accessdate = 2008-01-01]

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.cite web | url =http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=746570 | title = Camp helped DeBauche kick away woes | publisher = JS Online | accessdate = 2008-05-02]

Ryan was released by the Packers on September 1, 2008. [http://www.packers.com/news/releases/2008/09/01/1/]

eattle Seahawks

Following Week 1 of the 2008 regular season, Ryan signed with the Seattle Seahawks on September 9.

References

External links

* [http://www.packers.com/history/all_time_roster/player/ryan_jon_2006-07/ Green Bay Packers bio]