RYAN SEEKS NEW TEAM
Seahawks release city native
Regina-born punter Jon Ryan was part of the Seattle Seahawks’ family for 10 years.
When that mutually beneficial association ended Monday, the result of Ryan being released by the NFL team, members of Ryan’s family had to deal with the adjustment.
“We were kind of expecting it,” said Barb Ryan, Jon’s mother. “Yet, when it finally happened, I was pretty sad about it and I cried a little bit.”
There have also been tears of joy over the past decade — especially in 2014, when Ryan and his family celebrated together on the field after the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win.
The following year, Ryan — who was the holder on Seattle’s fieldgoal attempts — threw a touchdown pass on a trick play in the NFC championship game to help the Seahawks advance to a second consecutive Super Bowl.
Along the way, Ryan became immensely popular in Seattle and area. He was the longest-serving Seahawk at the time of his release.
“Seattle is a great city, with a great fan base, and it will be missed by us,” Barb Ryan said.
“The people in Seattle were so great to Jon. I remember going to a game and seeing Jon talk to the pep band and the guy who let him into the underground parking. He enjoyed everyone there and the fans were amazing.
“Now he’s looking for a new team and has to sell his house. His baseball team (Ryan is a co-owner of the Portland Pickles collegiate team) is close by. He’s a huge Seattle Mariners fan and he loves going to the games.
“He personalized it in Seattle and he loved it there.”
Ryan, 36, reportedly asked for his release so he could explore options with other NFL teams.
The writing was on the wall for the former standout with the Sheldon-williams Spartans, University of Regina Rams and Winnipeg Blue Bombers after the Seahawks traded up to select punter Michael Dickson in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Ryan broke the news of his release on Twitter, releasing a statement Monday.
“It’s been an absolute honor and privilege to play in this great city of Seattle for the past 10 years,” he wrote. “I never wanted this day to come, but I knew it would someday. Even though I’m leaving, I will always be a Seahawk.”
Also in his statement, he made a point of thanking the fans who “embraced a pale skinned, red headed Canadian with a speech impediment and made him feel like a super star. I will forever be grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you Seattle.”
Ryan spent two seasons with Winnipeg, setting an enduring CFL single-season record for average yards per punt (50.6) in 2005, before debuting in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers the next year.
After being released by Green Bay following the 2008 pre-season, he was quickly snapped up by Seattle.
In 10 seasons with the Seahawks, Ryan averaged 44.6 yards per punt. He was to earn a base salary of US$2.6 million in 2018 and $3 million in 2019, meaning salary-cap considerations played a role in the Seahawks turning to the younger, less-expensive ($480,000) and supremely skilled Dickson.
Dickson, a graduate of the University of Texas, received the Ray Guy Award as the best punter in U.S. college football last season.
The Australian-born rookie had a gross average of 51.7 yards per punt over Seattle’s first two preseason games. Ryan averaged 45.6 yards over those two games.
Ryan is the Seahawks’ all-time leader in punts (770), gross average (44.9), net average (40.8) and punts downed inside the 20 (276).
He also holds Seattle’s singleseason records for gross average (46.6 yards in 2011) and net average (40.8 in 2012).
“Jon has been an integral part of this program,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told the team’s website. “He has been a tremendous leader, great teammate, and a true competitor for the past decade.
“We thank him for his contributions to our team and the community. He will always be a Hawk.”
Seahawks president and CEO Peter Mcloughlin thanked Ryan on Twitter by saying: “Thank you for the wonderful memories and impression you left in the community. We wish you all the best.”
The people in Seattle were so great to Jon. ... He enjoyed everyone there and the fans were amazing.