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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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
| Player stats at CFL.ca | |||||||||||
Jonathan Robert Ryan, born on 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). Jon started his journey playing university football for the Regina Rams. He then joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL after being drafted in 2004. Later, he played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers and spent ten seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
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Early Life and Football Beginnings
Jon Ryan was born and grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. When he was 8 years old, he even dressed up as a punter for Halloween! He went to Sheldon-Williams Collegiate for high school. There, he played as a running back, placekicker, and punter on the school's football team.
In 1999, Jon was part of the Sheldon-Williams team that won the Saskatchewan High School provincial championship. They defeated the Evan Hardy Souls 41–7. After high school, he went to the University of Regina. From 2000 to 2003, he played both punter and wide receiver for the Regina Rams football team. In his second year, he caught a 109-yard touchdown pass. He also led the team in receiving, along with his kicking duties. After his fourth year, Ryan won several team awards. These included Best Special Teams Player and Most Valuable Player. He was also named a first-team Canada West All-Star. Jon also ran track for the University of Regina.
Professional Football Career
Playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
In 2004, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) picked Jon Ryan. They drafted him as a punter and wide receiver in the third round. He was the 24th player chosen overall. Ryan joined the Blue Bombers for the 2004 CFL Season. In his first year, he was second in punting average in the league.
During the 2005 season, Ryan led the CFL with an amazing 50.6-yard average per punt. He also punted the most times of all punters, with 118 kicks. People started talking about his future in the NFL.
Time with the Green Bay Packers
On February 7, 2006, Jon Ryan signed a three-year contract with the Green Bay Packers. He became only the third person from Saskatchewan to play in the NFL. During his first training camp in 2006, he learned his father was very sick. He bravely played through a tough season. He even punted in a game just two days after his father passed away. His teammates voted him the Ed Block Courage Award winner for his courage and sportsmanship. This award showed he was an inspiration in the locker room.
On September 30, 2007, against the Minnesota Vikings, Jon became the first Packers punter to run for a first down since 1980. This happened on a fake punt play. He ran with the ball when he realized he had no one to throw to. On December 23, 2007, two of his punts were blocked by the Chicago Bears. One of these was even returned for a touchdown.
On December 30, 2007, Ryan kicked a 72-yard punt. This was the longest punt at Lambeau Field since 1965. It tied for the second-longest punt in the Packers' history. In the 2007 season, his punting was among the best in Green Bay in many years. The Packers released Ryan on September 1, 2008.
Years with the Seattle Seahawks
Joining the Seahawks (2008-2010)
After the first week of the 2008 season, Jon Ryan signed with the Seattle Seahawks on September 9. He signed a two-year contract. In one game, he hit a 63-yard punt, a 60-yard punt, and a 55-yard punt. He finished the 2008 season with a 45.6-yard average.
In 2009, he even threw a 42-yard pass in a game! After the season, Ryan signed a new six-year contract. On October 17, 2010, in a game against the Chicago Bears, Ryan was hurt while trying to tackle a player. His ribs were injured, but not broken. Later that season, his great punting helped the Seahawks win a key game. He pinned the opposing team deep in their own territory twice. His efforts helped the Seahawks make the playoffs. He won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.
Super Bowl Champion (2011-2014)
Jon continued to be a strong punter for the Seahawks. In the 2011 season, he had 95 punts for over 4,300 yards. In the 2013 season, he helped the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl.
On February 2, 2014, Jon Ryan made history. He became the first player from Saskatchewan to win the Super Bowl! The Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September 2014.
In the playoffs that year, Jon showed off his skills again. In the NFC Championship game, the Seahawks were losing. Ryan threw a 19-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal play! He was the first punter to throw a touchdown pass in an NFL playoff game. The Seahawks won that game and went to their second straight Super Bowl.
Later Seasons and Retirement (2015-2024)
In 2016, Jon signed a new four-year contract to stay with the Seahawks. He continued to play well, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 4. In Week 15, he rushed for 26 yards on another fake play, but got injured.
On August 20, 2018, the Seahawks released Ryan after 10 seasons. He was the longest-serving player on the team at that time. On April 16, 2024, Jon Ryan signed a special one-day contract to officially retire as a Seattle Seahawk.
Other Teams
Buffalo Bills (2018)
After leaving the Seahawks, Ryan briefly signed with the Buffalo Bills on August 21, 2018. He was released just a few weeks later.
Saskatchewan Roughriders (2019-2021)
After not playing in 2018, Jon signed with his hometown team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, in 2019. His powerful punts often changed field position. He also scored 12 "rouges" (a special point in Canadian football). He even completed a pass on a fake punt, though it was called back due to a penalty. He was named the team's Most Outstanding Special Teams player for the year. Jon re-signed with the Roughriders in 2021.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Edmonton Elks (2022)
On July 10, 2022, Ryan signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He did not play in any games for them. Later that month, on July 26, 2022, he was traded to the Edmonton Elks. Jon Ryan announced his retirement from football at the end of the Elks' 2022 season.
Personal Life
Jon Ryan is married to stand-up comedian Sarah Colonna. He has appeared on her podcast, Off The Rails, many times. In 2015, he tried out for the TV show American Ninja Warrior. His Seahawks teammates cheered him on. Jon is a fan of the Welsh football club Swansea City. In March 2020, Jon was diagnosed with skin cancer. He felt confident that it was treatable.
Ryan also became a co-owner of two baseball teams. He became a co-owner of the West Coast League's Portland Pickles in 2017. In 2021, he became a co-owner of the American Association of Professional Baseball's Cleburne Railroaders.
