Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Why is Matt Ryan shamed to corner of Sports Illustrated’s NFL preview?

Matt Ryan walks on the field during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.

Credit: Mike Ehrmann

Credit: Mike Ehrmann

Matt Ryan walks on the field during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
By AJC Sports
Aug 30, 2017

The Sports Illustrated 2017 NFL preview issue covers have a Gulliver's Travelers theme to them.

The four regional editions feature larger-than-life versions of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Cardinals running back David Johnson being swarmed by tiny competitors from the remaining 31 NFL teams.

In three of the four covers, reigning league MVP Matt Ryan is shoved to a corner in a clipped photo (above) of the Falcons quarterback walking onto the field during Super Bowl 51. (In all editions, the Saints' Drew Brees is kneeling - or cowering? - in front of the imposing figure.)

Emotional meeting helped Falcons get past Super Bowl

Subliminal message from SI? What do you think?

Check out the four covers below:

ajc.com
icon to expand image

ajc.com
icon to expand image
ajc.com
icon to expand image
ajc.com
icon to expand image

About the Author

AJC Sports
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. (left) fights for the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ryan Miller watches during the second half of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons’ A.J. Terrell is ‘week to week’ with hamstring injury

The Falcons cornerback, who suffered a hamstring injury late in the second quarter against the Vikings on Sunday night, will be held out of practice Wednesday, maybe longer.

Falcons’ Raheem Morris elated with breakthrough performances from rookies

Falcons coach Raheem Morris hopes his rookies continue to make plays as they did against the Vikings. The Falcons are set to play the Panthers at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Falcons add CB to practice squad

Keith Taylor was drafted by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2021 draft. He has played with the Panthers and Chiefs.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Bruce Kluckhohn/AP))

Credit: AP

Falcons’ Raheem Morris elated with breakthrough performances from rookies

Falcons’ A.J. Terrell is ‘week to week’ with hamstring injury

Falcons add CB to practice squad

Featured

The city of Atlanta opened Azalea Fresh Market downtown to help residents find affordable groceries. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Metro Atlanta consumers grapple with higher prices on food, other goods

Inflation recently reached its highest level this year, with prices increasing for food, housing and other necessities.

Raffensperger, who rebuffed Trump in 2020, runs for Georgia governor

He was the Republican who told Donald Trump no. Now the secretary of state is telling Georgia voters he wants to be their next governor.

South Georgia football coach resigns after 0-5 start

Wayne County’s John Mohring resigned Tuesday afternoon, becoming the third GHSA football coach to step down since the season began.