The Seahawks released punter Jon Ryan Monday, ending a memorable run in Seattle for a player who over the course of 10 seasons became a franchise record holder and a beloved fan favorite.
Ryan, who signed with the Seahawks in 2008, had been the team's longest-tenured player and for the past two seasons was the only player on the roster who predated the Pete Carroll/John Schneider era. Ryan said farewell to Seahawks fans via Twitter Monday morning:
Ryan was so popular with fans not just because he was such a good punter who helped the Seahawks excel on special teams for so many years, but also for all the ways he transcended what is usually a rather anonymous position. Whether it was for his sense of humor, his toughness—he wasn't afraid to make tackles, and he finished a playoff game in Minnesota with a broken nose—or in particular for being part of one of the most memorable plays in franchise history, Ryan was embraced by Seahawks fans, and in turn returned that love during a run that saw him become the best punter in franchise history.
When he was facing free agency during the 2016 offseason, Ryan summed up his relationship with Seahawks fans by saying, "The people in Seattle, the people in Washington, the people in the Pacific Northwest have accepted a fair-skinned, freckle-faced redheaded kid from Canada with a speech impediment who punts a football, and made him feel like a super star… You guys are the greatest fans in the world."
Ryan leaves Seattle as the franchise leader in career punts (770), average (44.9), net average (40.8), and punts downed inside the 20 (276). Ryan also had the top three individual seasons for both net average and average, and he and Jeff Feagles share the single-season record for punts downed inside the 20 with 34.
"Jon has been an integral part of this program," Carroll said. "He has been a tremendous leader, great teammate, and a true competitor for the past decade. We thank him for his contributions to our team and the community. He will always be a Hawk."
Ryan's release leaves rookie Michael Dickson as the only punter on Seattle's roster. A fifth-round pick out of Texas, Dickson has an impressive 50.2 yards-per-punt net average through two preseason games, and has had two kicks downed inside the 20. Yet even as Ryan battled to keep his job in camp this year, he also helped mentor the rookie who was coming for his roster spot.
"He has taken to the competition by showing the classy guy that he is, and he's helping Michael wherever he can and talks situations with him," Carroll said of Ryan last week. "Works to support him, he's helped him with his holding and all that stuff that Michael didn't have a lot of experience at. He has been a consummate pro and he knows that he's in a big battle."
Take a look back at some of the best photos of punter Jon Ryan, who the Seahawks released Monday after a 10-year stay with the club in Seattle.
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan smiles after another punt inside the 20-yard line as special teams coach Brian Schneider looks on.
Seattle Seahawks' Jon Ryan (9) throws a touchdown pass on a fake field goal attempt during the second half of the NFL football NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Seattle Seahawks punter Jon Ryan (9) celebrates a touchdown during the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, January 18, 2015 in Seattle, WA. The Seahawks won 28-22 in overtime. (AP Photo/Todd Rosenberg)
Jan. 10, 2016; Minneapolis, Minn.
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan cut his hair after practice today for Locks of Love. Ryan grew his hair out for 25 months, reaching 11.5 inches in length. The mission of the charity is to return sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need. For more information visit www.locksoflove.com
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan cut his hair after practice today for Locks of Love. Ryan grew his hair out for 25 months, reaching 11.5 inches in length. The mission of the charity is to return sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need. For more information visit www.locksoflove.com
At 3:20pm, punter Jon Ryan pauses to sign autographs as he heads back to the locker room after working out on the field.
Punter Jon Ryan adjusts his music before leaving the locker room for his early warmups.
Jon Ryan runs the ball up the field on a fake punt in the fourth quarter.
Punter and special teams captain Jon Ryan relaxes early on game day.
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan punted seven times including this 51-yard effort in the second quarter.
Jon Ryan reacts after gaining a key first down for the Seahawks on a fake field goal in the fourth quarter.
Holder Jon Ryan and kicker Steven Hauschka celebrate after Hauschka's 44-yard field goal gave the Seahawks a 26-24 lead late in the game, sealing the victory.
Jon Ryan, the coolest Canadian punter in the N.F.L. gives "Passes the Peace" as he walks on to the field for early warmups.
Seattle Seahawks punter Jon Ryan (9) is seen inside the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Seattle. Seattle won 40-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan turned 35 on Saturday, and the oldest player on the roster was brought to the center to break the team down at the end of walk thru. Teammates Garry Gilliam and Troymaine Pope also share the same birthday.
