ATLANTA — Matt Ryan took a rarified place among Atlanta Falcons legends on Thursday night when he was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor.
The Falcons hosted Thursday Night Football at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During halftime, Ryan, the team's quarterback from 2008-2021, was inducted into the Ring of Honor.
The team announced back during the summer that team owner Arthur Blank and Ryan would this season become the 13th and 14th members of the Ring of Honor. Blank was inducted a week and a half ago when the Falcons hosted the Chiefs for Sunday Night Football.
Prior to his induction, Ryan spoke to reporters about this achievement and addressed how it's not as common to receive such an honor, being not that many years far removed from being on the team.
"It's kind of extra special, too, because it is so fresh," Ryan said. "For them to make the decision that they felt it was the right time, you know, appropriate to do it now, that meant a lot to me."
Ryan added that he was really honored.
"I'm proud of everything that I did in my time in the NFL and specifically here in Atlanta," Ryan said. "I'm probably most proud of the consistency. I think week in and week out, I showed up and played. I'm proud of the toughness that was displayed. There were not many games that were missed."
He said that throughout his time, it was important to him that his teammates knew that they could count on him.
The Falcons also took to X on Thursday night to post a snippet of Ryan's speech saying that Atlanta will always be home for Matt Ryan.
"To the Falcons fans, Atlanta has become my home. You have become my extended family. I want you to know it was a thrill of a lifetime to be your quarterback," Ryan said. "Every day, I was trying to be the best I could for this organization and for you. I will never have another job that I love as much as the one I had here."
They also posted a picture of the renowned quarterback saying that he would forever be a Falcon.
Ryan was a Pro Bowler four times in his 14 seasons with the Falcons, throwing for 381 career touchdowns and 62,792 yards. He was the 2016 NFL MVP and famously led the Falcons to the Super Bowl in 2016, infamously ending in heartbreak to the New England Patriots. He also led Atlanta to the NFC Championship Game in 2012, as well as four other playoff trips.
"Matt's character and talent on and off the field sets him apart as one of the greatest Falcons players ever," team president Greg Beadles said back when the selections were announced, "and we believe we'll see his career recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the future."'
Congrats to Matt Ryan for a fantastic career and for his induction into the Falcons Ring of Honor!
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