Ryan Tannehill facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ryan Tannehill

Tannehill with the Tennessee Titans in 2021
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(1988-07-27) July 27, 1988 (age 36) Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:	Big Spring (Big Spring, Texas)
College:	Texas A&M (2007–2011)
NFL Draft:	2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8
Career history
Miami Dolphins (2012) Tennessee Titans (2019)
Career highlights and awards
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2019) Pro Bowl (2019) NFL passer rating leader (2019)
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Passing attempts: 4,764 Passing completions: 3,063 Completion percentage: 64.3% TD–INT: 216–115 Passing yards: 34,881 Passer rating: 91.2
Player stats at PFR

Ryan Timothy Tannehill III (born July 27, 1988) is an American professional football quarterback. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies. He started as a wide receiver and later became a quarterback. The Miami Dolphins picked him eighth overall in the 2012 NFL draft.

Tannehill played his first seven seasons with the Dolphins. He was their main starting quarterback. In 2019, he was traded to the Tennessee Titans. He began as a backup but soon became the starter. That season, he led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game. He was also named NFL Comeback Player of the Year and chosen for the Pro Bowl. In the next two seasons, Tannehill helped the Titans win their division twice in a row.

Early Life and Sports

Ryan Tannehill was born in Lubbock, Texas. He grew up in a nearby town called Big Spring. He went to Big Spring High School. There, he played both football and basketball. He also ran for the track and field team.

In his second year of high school, he played 10 games as a defensive back. As a junior, he threw for 2,510 yards as a quarterback. He also ran for 922 yards. In his senior year, he led his team to the playoffs. He passed for 1,258 yards and ran for 617 more. He missed two games that year because of a shoulder injury. Tannehill also caught three passes for 62 yards. He was a good punter, averaging 39.2 yards per punt. He earned honors in his district for both his junior and senior seasons. Experts like Rivals.com saw him as a promising player.

In track and field, Tannehill was good at hurdling and jumping. In 2006, he placed third in the 300-meter hurdles. He also finished second in the triple jump event.

College Football Journey

Starting at Texas A&M

Tannehill began his college career at Texas A&M in 2007. He did not play in his first year, which is called redshirting. He had turned down offers from other universities to play for Texas A&M.

Playing Wide Receiver

In 2008, Mike Sherman became the new head coach. Tannehill competed for the starting quarterback spot. He ended up third, behind two other players. Coach Sherman's offense used three receivers, so Tannehill moved to play wide receiver.

In his fifth game, he set a new school record for freshmen. He caught 12 passes for 210 yards. He finished his first year playing wide receiver with 844 receiving yards. This was just short of another school record. He only threw one pass as a quarterback that whole season. Tannehill still wanted to be a quarterback. He said he hoped it would happen, but he was okay helping the team as a receiver.

In 2009, Tannehill again competed for the quarterback job but did not win it. He led the team with 46 catches for 609 yards. He scored four touchdowns. Most of his catches helped the team get first downs or touchdowns. He played very little as a quarterback that year.

Becoming a Quarterback

Tannehill kept playing wide receiver for the first six games of the 2010 season. He caught 11 passes for 143 yards. He also threw four passes in the first game.

He got to play a lot at quarterback during the game against Kansas. He completed 12 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns. In his first game starting as quarterback, Tannehill led the Aggies to a big win. He set a school record with 449 passing yards in that game. He also made a 33-yard punt.

Tannehill led the Aggies to wins over top teams like Oklahoma and Nebraska. He also punted twice in the Nebraska game because the regular punter was hurt. His team beat Texas to end the regular season. Tannehill earned more honors for his play.

Tannehill playing against Iowa State in 2011

In 2011, Tannehill started all 13 games as quarterback. He was also the team captain. He threw for 3,744 yards and 29 touchdowns. He completed 61.6% of his passes. He also ran for three touchdowns. On Thanksgiving Day, his team lost to their rival, the University of Texas. This was the last time the teams played until the 2024-2025 season.

Tannehill finished his college career with 5,450 passing yards. He threw 42 touchdown passes.

College Statistics Overview

Here's a look at Ryan Tannehill's college football stats:

Texas A&M Aggies
Season	Games		Passing							Rushing				Receiving
	GP	GS	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	TD	Int	Rtg	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
2007	0	0	Redshirted
2008	1	0	1	1	100.0	8	0	0	167.2	2	−8	−4.0	0	55	844	15.3	5
2009	2	0	4	8	50.0	60	0	0	113.0	4	−5	−1.3	0	46	609	13.2	4
2010	8	7	152	234	65.0	1,638	13	6	137.0	51	76	1.5	1	11	143	13.0	1
2011	13	13	327	531	61.6	3,744	29	15	133.2	58	306	5.3	4	0	0	0.0	0
Total	24	20	484	774	62.5	5,450	42	21	134.2	115	369	3.2	5	112	1,596	14.3	10

Professional Football Career

Miami Dolphins Years

Tannehill in 2012

The Miami Dolphins chose Ryan Tannehill as the eighth player in the 2012 NFL draft. He was the first quarterback the Dolphins picked in the first round since Dan Marino in 1983. On July 28, 2012, Tannehill signed his first contract with the Dolphins.

He became the Dolphins' starting quarterback for the first game of the 2012 season. In his first game, he threw for 219 yards but had three interceptions. In Week 2, he played much better. He threw for 200 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He also ran for a touchdown.

Two weeks later, Tannehill threw for 431 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. This set a new Dolphins record for a rookie quarterback. It was almost an NFL record for a rookie. He finished his rookie year setting new Dolphins records for passing yards, attempts, and completions.

2013 Season Highlights

In 2013, Tannehill started his second season strong. He led the Dolphins to a 3–0 start for the first time since 2002. He had some tough games with many sacks and turnovers. But he also had strong performances. In Week 14, he threw three touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Week 15, he had his best game of the year against the New England Patriots. He threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. The Dolphins finished the season with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs.

Tannehill in 2014

2014 Season Changes

In 2014, Tannehill had a new offensive coordinator. This meant learning a new way to play. He started the season well with a win over the Patriots. He had a season-high 396 passing yards and four touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings. The Dolphins again finished 8–8 and missed the playoffs.

Tannehill playing against the Washington Redskins in 2015

2015 Season Records

In May 2015, Tannehill signed a big contract extension with the Dolphins. In Week 7, he achieved a perfect 158.3 passer rating. He also set an NFL record for completing 25 passes in a row. This record was later tied by other quarterbacks. By December, he became only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 3,000 yards in each of his first four seasons. The Dolphins did not make the playoffs that year. Tannehill finished the season with 4,208 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.

2016 Playoff Season

In 2016, the Dolphins started 1–4. But they then won six games in a row. Tannehill played in 13 games. He missed the last three due to a knee injury. Despite his injury, the Dolphins made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Tannehill had a career-high 67.1% completion rate. He threw for 2,995 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was not able to play in the Dolphins' playoff game.

Injuries in 2017 and 2018

Tannehill tried to recover from his knee injury without surgery in 2017. But in August, he hurt his left leg again. He needed surgery and missed the entire 2017 season. The team signed Jay Cutler to play instead.

In 2018, Tannehill returned as the Dolphins' starting quarterback. He played well in his first game back. He later had a shoulder injury and missed several games. In Week 14, he was part of the famous Miracle in Miami. The Dolphins won against the Patriots with a last-second play involving multiple lateral passes. Tannehill finished the 2018 season with 1,979 passing yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games.

Tennessee Titans Journey

Tannehill in 2019

On March 15, 2019, the Dolphins traded Tannehill to the Tennessee Titans. He also signed a new contract with the Titans.

2019: Comeback Player of the Year

Tannehill started the 2019 season as a backup. In Week 6, he took over as quarterback for the Titans. He became the starter in Week 7. He led the team to a narrow 23–20 victory. In Week 12, he had a great game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for two touchdowns. Two weeks later, he threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns against the Raiders. This earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award.

Tannehill finished the 2019 season with impressive stats. He had 2,742 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. He also ran for 185 yards and four touchdowns. He led the league with a 117.5 quarterback rating. His 70.3% completion rate was a Titans record. His teammates ranked him among the top 100 players in the NFL.

Tannehill rushing for a touchdown in the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Ravens

In the playoffs, Tannehill led the Titans to upset wins. They beat the defending Super Bowl champions, the Patriots. Then they beat the favored Ravens. He joined Terry Bradshaw as the only players to win two playoff games in a row with few passing yards but at least one touchdown. In the AFC Championship Game, the Titans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Tannehill was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. On February 1, 2020, he was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Tannehill alongside Deshaun Watson at the 2020 Pro Bowl

2020 Season Success

On March 17, 2020, Tannehill signed a four-year contract extension with the Titans. He continued to play very well. In Week 2, he threw for 239 yards and four touchdowns. In Week 5, he threw for three touchdowns and ran for one. In Week 6, he threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns in an overtime win. He finished the 2020 season with 3,819 passing yards. He threw a career-high 33 touchdowns. He also ran for 266 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. The Titans won their division with an 11–5 record. They made the playoffs but lost in the Wild Card Round.

Tannehill playing in 2020.

2021 Season and Division Titles

In Week 18 of the 2021 season, Tannehill threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns. This win helped the Titans get the top spot in their conference. He finished the season with 3,734 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. He also ran for 270 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Tannehill led the Titans to win their division two years in a row. This was a first for the team. In the playoffs, the Titans lost to the Bengals.

2022 Season and Injury

In 2022, Tannehill started the season well. But in Week 2, he was benched during a tough loss. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 7 and missed two games. He hurt his ankle again later in the season. He was placed on injured reserve in December. He played in 12 games, throwing for 2,536 yards and 13 touchdowns.

2023 Season and Backup Role

Tannehill started the 2023 season as the Titans' main quarterback. In Week 6, he got a high ankle sprain and missed two games. Rookie Will Levis played in his place. In Week 10, the coach announced that Levis would be the new starting quarterback. Tannehill became his backup. Tannehill started two more games due to Levis's injuries. In Week 18, he led the Titans to a win that kept their rival, the Jaguars, out of the playoffs. Tannehill finished the 2023 season with 1,616 passing yards and four touchdowns in eight starts.

NFL Career Statistics

Here are Ryan Tannehill's career stats in the NFL:

Regular Season Stats

Playoff Season Stats

Records and Achievements

NFL Records

• Most consecutive pass completions: 25 (tied by Philip Rivers & Nick Foles)

Dolphins Team Records

• Most pass completions in a single season: 392 (2014)
• Most pass completions by a rookie: 282
• Most passing yards by a rookie season: 3,294
• Most passing attempts by a rookie: 484
• Longest run by a quarterback: 48 yards
• Longest run by a rookie quarterback: 31 yards

Titans Team Records

• Highest passer rating (season): 117.5 (2019)
• Most yards per pass attempt (season): 9.59 (2019)
• Highest completion rate (season): 70.3 (2019)

Personal Life

Ryan Tannehill is married to Lauren. They met in Panama City, Florida in 2009 and got married in January 2012. They have two children.

Tannehill is an Evangelical Christian. When he signs autographs, he often writes "Colossians 3:23". This is a reference to a Bible verse.

He earned a bachelor's degree in biology in May 2011. He had planned to become a doctor who specializes in knee injuries.

Tannehill has his own charity called Achieving Community and Education Success (ACES). This foundation helps high school students with their grades. It also encourages them to get involved in their community. He also supported Lifewater International in 2020.

See also

In Spanish: Ryan Tannehill para niños

• List of National Football League annual passer rating leaders
• List of NFL quarterbacks who have posted a perfect passer rating