Jon Ryan facts for kids
Ryan with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014
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| Position: | Punter | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | November 26, 1981 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 217 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Sheldon-Williams Collegiate (Regina, Saskatchewan) |
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| University: | Regina (2000–2003) | ||||||||||
| CFL draft: | 2004 / Round: 3 / Pick: 24 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| CFL status: | National | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
| Player stats at CFL.ca | |||||||||||
Jonathan Robert Ryan (born November 26, 1981) is a Canadian former professional football player. He was a punter in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL).
Ryan played university football for the Regina Rams. He started his professional career in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Later, he played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers and spent ten seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
He is the first player from Saskatchewan to win a Super Bowl. In April 2025, Ryan was announced as a new member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Jonathan Ryan was born and grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. When he was eight years old, he even dressed up as a punter for Halloween!
He went to Sheldon-Williams Collegiate for high school. There, he played football as a running back, placekicker, and punter. In 1999, his high school team won the Saskatchewan provincial championship.
After high school, Ryan attended the University of Regina. He played both punter and wide receiver for the Regina Rams football team from 2000 to 2003. During his time with the Rams, he caught a very long 109-yard touchdown pass. He also won several team awards, including Most Valuable Player.
Professional Football Career
Playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
In 2004, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) drafted Ryan. He was chosen as a punter and wide receiver in the third round. During his first year, he was one of the top punters in the league.
In the 2005 season, Ryan led the CFL in punting average. He punted the ball 118 times, with an average of 50.6 yards per punt.
Time with the Green Bay Packers
In 2006, Ryan signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers in the NFL. He became only the third person from Saskatchewan to play in the NFL.
During his first year, Ryan showed great courage. He continued to play even after his father passed away. His teammates recognized his strength and gave him the Ed Block Courage Award. In 2007, he made a memorable play against the Minnesota Vikings. He ran for a first down on a fake punt, surprising everyone.
Later that year, he kicked a 72-yard punt against the Detroit Lions. This was one of the longest punts in the history of Lambeau Field, the Packers' home stadium. Ryan was released by the Packers in September 2008.
Success with the Seattle Seahawks
Joining the Seahawks
After leaving the Packers, Ryan joined the Seattle Seahawks in September 2008. He quickly became their main punter. In his first season with the Seahawks, he averaged 45.6 yards per punt.
Key Moments and Super Bowl Win
In 2009, Ryan even threw a 42-yard pass in a game, showing off his versatility. In 2010, he helped the Seahawks make the playoffs by pinning the opposing team deep in their own territory with his punts. He was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.
The 2013 season was a big one for Ryan. On February 2, 2014, he became the first player from Saskatchewan to win the Super Bowl. The Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 in Super Bowl XLVIII.
In the 2014 NFC Championship game, Ryan made another amazing play. He threw a 19-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal. This made him the first punter to throw a touchdown pass in an NFL playoff game. The Seahawks won that game and went on to play in their second straight Super Bowl.
Later Years and Retirement
Ryan continued to be a strong player for the Seahawks. In 2016, he signed a new contract to stay with the team. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week again that year.
After ten seasons, Ryan was released by the Seahawks in August 2018. At that time, he was the player who had been with the team the longest. On April 16, 2024, Ryan signed a special one-day contract to officially retire as a Seattle Seahawk.
Other Teams and Retirement
Brief Stint with Buffalo Bills
After leaving the Seahawks, Ryan briefly signed with the Buffalo Bills in August 2018. However, he was released by the team shortly after.
Return to Saskatchewan Roughriders
In 2019, Ryan returned to his hometown team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL. He signed a one-year contract and continued to show his powerful punting skills. He was named the team's Most Outstanding Special Teams player for the year.
The 2020 CFL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ryan re-signed with the Roughriders in 2021.
Final CFL Teams
In July 2022, Ryan signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He did not play in any games for them. Later that month, he was traded to the Edmonton Elks. Ryan announced his retirement from football at the end of the Elks' 2022 season.
Personal Life
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Jon Ryan is married to stand-up comedian Sarah Colonna. He has appeared on her podcast, Off The Rails. In 2015, he tried out for the TV show American Ninja Warrior.
His older sister, Jill, is married to Andrew Scheer, who was once the Leader of the Opposition in Canada. Ryan is also a fan of the Welsh football club Swansea City. In March 2020, Ryan shared that he was diagnosed with skin cancer, but he was confident it could be treated.
Ryan also became a co-owner of two baseball teams: the Portland Pickles in 2017 and the Cleburne Railroaders in 2021.
Images for kids
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Ryan (while playing for the Roughriders in the 2019 Labour Day Classic) shakes hands with Canada's Federal Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer, his brother-in-law
