DEL.ICIO.USNFL: ATLANTA FALCONS
What you may not know about Matt Ryan
Falcons QB was recruited by Georgia Tech and (psst!) has a girlfriend
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
By now, even if you just climbed aboard the Falcons bandwagon, you know about Matt Ryan, the Falcons’ sometimes spectacular, always steady, “best of all time?” rookie quarterback, who this week added the AP’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award to his growing resume.
But just how well do you know Matt? A little research turned up some facts that any Falcons fan ought to know. File them away for Saturday’s playoff game and impress your friends.
Boston College
Sarah Marshall, Matt Ryan’s girlfriend, played guard for the Boston College Eagles.
• He’s a Taurus (born May 17, 1985): An astrological sign (the bull) noted for determination. As one astro-profile puts it: “You get to where you are going, not because you are exceptionally fast or clever, but because [you] will not be distracted from your goals.”
• He’s got a girl: For more than 3 years now. She’s a fellow jock (basketball guard) and fellow communications major from Ryan’s alma mater, Boston College. Her name might seem familiar; it was in the title of a recent movie: “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
• His guilty pleasure? Popeye’s fried chicken; specifically the three-piece spicy chicken deal.
• He can afford it: His six-year contract, for $72 million, means he earns approximately $750,000 for every regular-season game.
• Not just a jock: He has a B.A. in communications, and started classes toward a second major in English. Those courses included literature, but also (handily enough for multimillionaire) social stratification and personal finance.
• Almost a Jacket: Georgia Tech was one of several schools that recruited Ryan out of suburban Philadelphia back in 2003. He beat the Jackets the only time he faced them in 2007.
• Childhood hero: Not Joe Montana. Not Dan Marino. Bo Jackson, the former star running back and baseball outfielder.
• Fave TV show: “Fringe,” the weird sci-fi show on Fox (he admits he “feels like a dork” for saying so).
• Speaking of weird: While evaluating him psychologically, NFL officials asked him many probing questions, including: “If you could be a cat or a dog, which would you be?” Ryan’s choice: dog.
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