Ryan Reminisces Ahead of Jersey Retirement

By Landon Komishane

Nine years ago, Boston College was as high as No. 2 in the nation, and some quarterback named Matt Ryan was climbing up everyone’s draft boards. On Saturday, Boston College will honor that same quarterback for his accomplishments in his five years on the Heights by retiring his jersey at halftime during the game against Connecticut. He joins Luke Kuechly as the other active NFL player to get his jersey retired by Boston College

Ryan started by saying he was honored to be back at Boston College. “It’s a special weekend for myself and my family,” he said. Ryan’s best year came in 2007, when he was a Heisman candidate and BC was in the hunt for the BCS. “Some of my best football memories are from that season and that team,” he said. Ryan credits Boston College for helping him develop in order make the transition to the NFL, where he is now an MVP candidate for the Atlanta Falcons. “I felt very prepared when I left school and got to Atlanta.”

While Ryan said he has great memories from football here, he also talked about how the school itself changed his life. “I met my wife here. That’s the most important thing that happened when I was here.” Ryan also commented on how much BC has changed and how much progress there has been, even lamenting the loss of Edmonds, where he had lived.

Now that he is nine-year veteran for the Falcons, Ryan has not lost his BC roots. His uncle, John Loughery, was a quarterback for the Eagles from 1979 to 1982. Loughery will be present tomorrow, and Ryan said that he was a big influence on him. Ryan also tries to watch current Boston College games whenever he can. He said he got to watch the recent win over North Carolina State, and he talks to current NFL players from Boston College about the team.

When asked specifically about seeing the names on the wall in Alumni Stadium, Ryan remembered seeing the names while he practiced. “You would see those names and jerseys retired up top, and you’d be hopeful that it could happen,” he said. On Saturday, Ryan will get his turn. “Looking back now, it’s surreal to think that [my jersey] is going up there,” he said. “It’s nice to know at one point that I was pretty good here. I’m humbled for BC to celebrate me that way.”