Matt Ryan: The NFL's face of 'perfection'?

By KATIE LESLIE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan is more than a promising quarterback - he's also a pretty face.

The 24-year-old is the NFL's best-looking player, according to researchers who studied Ryan's chiseled mug. Researchers from Ursinus College and Southern Utah University found that Ryan's face is almost perfectly symmetrical, an indicator of attractiveness and success to sociologists.

The average Joe's face is just 90 percent symmetrical, while Ryan is reaching Adonis status at 99.82 percent, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

We bet that balanced babe is blushing already.

The project looked at 312 quarterbacks who played during 1995 to 2006. A "Symmeter" program then evaluated the players' headshots, according to the study, and assessed their symmetrical status. The idea is that the more symmetrical one's face is, the more attractive he or she may be. And the better looking the person, the more successful one becomes.

The study found that the most symmetrical players were paid, on average, five to six percent more than their asymmetrical counterparts.

"What's significant is that [looks] matter all, when they shouldn't," said researcher David Berri, an economics professor at Southern Utah University. "But it's still the case that [quarterbacks] are primarily evaluated on performance."

Other players to top the list include: Brett Favre, now of the Minnesota Vikings, at 2nd place with 99.78 percent; Matt Hasselbeck, of the Seattle Seahawks, at 4th place with 99.56 percent; and Ben Roethlisberger, of the Pittsburgh Steelers, at 99.43 percent and 6th place.

We know what you're thinking: Tom Brady. The model-esque Patriot took 9th place with 99.14 percent.

The AJC is calling for an independent study of the findings. Matt Ryan, please report to the newsroom.