Ryan on the birth of the twins: ‘It’s been a wild ride for us, but well worth it’
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan discussed the birth of his twin sons before raising money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Pro-Amateur golf tournament at TPC Sugarloaf on Monday.
“It certainly has been a busy couple of months,” Ryan said. “We are really excited to have the two sons at home. They are getting big, strong and healthy. Sarah is doing great. She was amazing throughout everything.”
Sarah Ryan, the wife of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, announced the birth of their twin boys on Instragram on Sunday.
Marshall Thomas Ryan and John Matthew Ryan were born six weeks after Sarah Ryan was put on bed rest on Jan. 9. Ryan left practice on that date to be with his wife.
Ryan admitted to being nervous about becoming a Dad after the announced the pregnancy in November.
Sarah detailed the premature births of the boys, who spent six more weeks in the hospital before going home.
The Ryans pretty much lived at the hospital for those 12 weeks. Matt Ryan said he watched the Super Bowl at the hospital.
“It’s been a wild ride for us, but well worth it with all of the time spent over at Northside Hospital,” Ryan said. “So, we’re excited. We are just busy now, trying to get these kids healthy and strong.”
Ryan admits that there were some difficult times.
“Yeah, anytime that you’re having a child, it’s scary and it’s exciting,” Ryan said. “It’s all of those things. At the same time, obviously with twins, you’re always at a high risk for difficulties or complications. Anybody who’s spent time at the hospital on bed rest, knows the emotions that go with it. We are just so lucky and fortunate to have two really beautiful boys.”
Ryan was clearly excited about the boys.
“Guys that were fighters,” Ryan said of the twins. “They did a good job in there. Just a big thank you to all the people at the hospital, all of the doctors and both in the labor and delivery section….They do amazing things.”
Ryan has had the benefit tournament for 10 years and has raised over a million dollars.
“Some of the kids were leaving Northside to have procedures done across the street at Scottish Rite,” Ryan said. “I’m happy to be here today to raise money for that.
There was some alarm when Ryan missed practice on Jan. 9. It was a few days before the Falcons were going to play the Eagles in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.
“At that time, I felt like it was a no-brainer,” Ryan said. “Football is extremely important, but there is nothing more important than your family.”
Ryan has a reputation for meticulously preparing for games.
“I left that day and things got kind of stabilized in the hospital,” Ryan said. “Sarah spent six weeks in the hospital after that. But everything ended up in a very good spot, which we are thankful for.
“The rest of the week, I got in really good preparation. I felt like I was well prepared to go up and play in Philadelphia. I played well up there, but obviously we felt a little bit short.”
The Falcons were defeated 15-9 and the Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl.
Ryan, 32, was the team’s first-round draft pick, No. 3 overall, in 2008 and has been the starter since his arrival.
The couple, who both attended Boston College, married in 2011.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
