I love my football, but it wasn’t until the end of the 2007 NFL season when my home state Atlanta Falcon’s just had a horrible over all season. The Falcons got a high pick in the draft and speculation was headed toward a quarterback need. They filled that need with a young pocket passer in Matt Ryan. Who was just traded two days ago too the Indianapolis Colts (secretly, always my AFC team) for a third round pick. I know a lot of people have said thanks too the guy but I wanted too do my part as an Atlanta Falcons fan. So too Matt Ryan, thanks.
The Spark
In 2008, I was an awkward eighth-grade student with a ton of different likes, but not many related to sports. However, I somehow got into the NFL draft process. Then the potential picks that my hometown team the Atlanta Falcons could make with that number three overall pick. Most people screamed quarterback was a need, with the loss of Mike Vick. Oh, not too mention and then coach Bobby Petrino vacating the head coach position the team was in shambles. You need a face of the franchise and quarterback only made sense. The two best QB’s in that draft was Matt Ryan from Boston College. Then there was Joe Flacco out of the little Delaware University.
Matt Ryan became my favorite of those two players. He was the typical standard at that point for an all-pro NFL quarterback. He had pocket presence, a good arm, and could lead a team. Ultimately, we got the guy who would lead our franchise for the next thirteen NFL seasons. My interest in the pick of Matt Ryan ultimately blossomed into a new interest in professional football.
Matt Ryan, Good Luck
As a forever fan of the Atlanta Falcons, you took us further than anyone in a long time. You gave us your youth and put your devotion into your craft. Then you became the face of a franchise that badly needed one after the last 18 or so months before your drafting. You took your first professional pass and dropped it into Michel Jenkins arms for a 62-yard touchdown pass. That was all it took for someone too light a spark in my hometown team finally. Then light that same spark for professional football.
You took on all the scrutiny from fair weather fans, loyal fans, and the sports world when the TEAM lost the Super-Bowl. I mean seriously do some research into that game; the defense fell too shambles. Oh, then not to mention a late holding call. You never wanted out of Atlanta and just embraced the team, state, and fans for all they were worth. You’re nearing the end of your career I think every fan knows that but I kind of wanted too see you retire in the red and black.
However, I’m super excited to see you headed to Indianapolis. So, good luck, Matt Ryan please go win it all in white and blue. Remember there are still plenty of fans down here in the Mercedes Benz Dome, that will be rooting for you.
Go give me a follow-on Twitter, @princechris54, and always check out Belly Up Sports for all the best NFL content.
