Matthew Ryan
Matthew Thomas Ryan (born May 17, 1985) is an American former professional football quarterback who played 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), spending 14 years with the Atlanta Falcons after being selected third overall in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Boston College.[1][2][3] Ryan earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2008 after leading the Falcons to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance, throwing for 3,426 yards and 16 touchdowns in his debut season.[4] His pinnacle came in 2016, when he captured NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards, setting single-season records with a 117.1 passer rating and 9.26 adjusted net yards per attempt while directing the Falcons to a 11-5 regular season and Super Bowl LI appearance; however, Atlanta collapsed from a 28-3 halftime lead to lose 34-28 in overtime to the New England Patriots.[5][6] Ryan amassed franchise records with the Falcons for passing yards (59,735), completions (5,242), and touchdowns (367), earned four Pro Bowl selections, and was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 for his final season before retiring in April 2024 via a ceremonial one-day contract with Atlanta.[4][7]Arts and entertainment
Music
Matthew Ryan is an American singer-songwriter born November 7, 1971, in Chester, Pennsylvania.[8] He grew up in Chester, south of Philadelphia, and spent his teenage years in Newark, Delaware, before relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, in his early twenties.[9] Ryan's career spans alternative rock, alt-country, and indie folk styles, with a sound often described as moody, introspective, and blending punk energy with ambient textures.[8][10] Ryan debuted with the album May Day in 1997, released on A&M Records, followed by East Autumn Grin in 2000 and Concussion in 2001, the latter marking a shift toward more personal, acoustic-driven songwriting amid label transitions.[11] Subsequent independent releases include Hopeless to Hopeful (2004), From a Late Night High (2006), and In the Dusk of Everything (2012), showcasing his evolution toward raw, narrative-driven tracks exploring themes of loss, resilience, and everyday struggle.[11] Later works such as Hustle Up Starlings (2017) and The Future Was Beautiful (2021) reflect continued experimentation, with contributions from collaborators like Neilson Hubbard on production.[12][13] In recent years, Ryan has maintained an independent output, releasing singles and EPs via Bandcamp, including ambient folk under the project Strays Don't Sleep and pandemic-era material as The Pines at Night, such as A Year of Novembers (2020).[13] His discography exceeds a dozen full-length albums, emphasizing direct-to-fan distribution and live performances, with ongoing activity evidenced by 2023-2024 singles like "Avalanche of Stars."[14] Ryan's work has garnered niche acclaim for its honesty and avoidance of commercial polish, prioritizing lyrical depth over mainstream appeal.[8]Acting and performance
Matt Ryan, born Matthew Darren Evans on 11 April 1981 in Swansea, Wales, began his acting career after training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.[15][16] In 2004, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), performing in various stage productions.[16] Ryan's early theater work included roles with the RSC, culminating in his appearance in the 2009 production of Hamlet starring Jude Law as the title character; the production transferred to Broadway later that year.[16] He continued stage performances in the West End and other venues, including the role of Mark in the 2010 revival of Miss Julie at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.[17] In television, Ryan gained prominence portraying SSA Mick Rawson, a technical analyst, in the CBS series Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (2011), which ran for one season comprising 13 episodes.[18] His breakthrough in genre television came with the lead role of John Constantine, an occult detective, in NBC's Constantine (2014–2015), a 13-episode series based on the DC Comics character.[15] He reprised the role across the Arrowverse franchise, appearing in Arrow (6 episodes, 2017–2018), DC's Legends of Tomorrow (22 episodes, 2017–2021), and guest spots in Supergirl and The Flash.[19] Ryan's voice acting includes the titular pirate Edward Kenway in the video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013), which sold over 15 million copies worldwide by 2020.[15] He voiced John Constantine again in the animated DC Universe films Justice League Dark (2017), Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020), and the series Constantine: City of Demons (2018–2019).[20] Additional film credits encompass supporting roles in The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2014) and the miniseries The Halcyon (2017), where he played detective Sergeant Martin.[15] Throughout his career, Ryan has balanced live-action performances with voice work, emphasizing characters in supernatural and historical settings, though he has not received major acting awards as of 2025.[16]Writing and theater
Matthew Ryan is an Australian playwright and screenwriter whose works often examine themes of Australian identity, masculinity, and historical mythology through intimate, character-driven narratives. His plays have been produced by major companies including Queensland Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, and La Boite Theatre Company, with several receiving national tours.[21][22] Ryan's breakthrough collaboration, Boy Girl Wall, co-written with performer Lucas Stibbard, premiered in 2010 by The Escapists at Metro Arts in Brisbane, followed by two sold-out seasons at La Boite Theatre's Roundhouse in 2011. The one-man show, depicting a man's unraveling life amid love, work, and isolation, toured nationally and internationally, earning the 2011 Matilda Award for Best Independent Production. Ryan co-directed the production with Stibbard, blending physical performance and minimalistic staging.[23][22][24] In 2012, Ryan's solo-authored Kelly debuted at Queensland Theatre Company's Cremorne Theatre within the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), portraying the final prison night of bushranger Ned Kelly through encounters with his brother Dan, interrogating myth versus reality in Australian folklore. The production toured nationally in 2015–2016, receiving a Helpmann Award nomination for Best New Australian Work. Begun in 2008, the play draws on historical events near Ryan's family farm in Glenrowan, emphasizing brotherhood and colonial tensions without romanticizing violence.[23][25][26] Other significant works include Brisbane, staged by Queensland Theatre Company in 2015, which explores urban disconnection, and earlier pieces like Summer Wonderland (La Boite, 2007) and The Harbinger (co-written with David Burton, 2011). Ryan has received multiple commissions from Queensland Theatre Company, supporting new Australian drama development from 2013 onward. His screenwriting extends theatrical techniques into film and television, though specific credits emphasize narrative economy honed in stage writing. Productions under his direction, such as Boy Girl Wall revivals, highlight his dual role in creation and realization.[22][27][21]Politics and public service
United States politicians
Matthew J. Ryan (April 27, 1932 – March 29, 2003) was a Republican politician who represented the 168th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1963 until his death, becoming the longest-serving member in its history with over 40 years of continuous service covering Delaware and Chester counties.[28][29] A graduate of St. Joseph's Preparatory School (1950), Villanova University, and Villanova University School of Law (J.D., 1959), Ryan served as a first lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956 before entering politics.[28] He rose through Republican leadership ranks, including policy chairman (1971–1972), whip (1973–1978), and floor leader (1979–1980, 1983–1994), before serving as Speaker of the House in 1981 and again from 1995 until 2003.[29] Ryan advocated for welfare reform and tax relief, sponsoring legislation such as Act 34 of 1979, which exempted certain estate proceeds from taxation to ease burdens on families.[29] His tenure emphasized bipartisan cooperation and institutional preservation, including initiatives to restore the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building to its original grandeur, a project he championed as Speaker with support from predecessors like K. Leroy Irvis.[30] Ryan's death from cancer in 2003 prompted widespread tributes, with the Pennsylvania House passing resolutions honoring his service to the state and nation, including his Marine Corps record.[31] Other individuals named Matthew or Matt Ryan have held elected office in the United States at the local level. Matt Ryan, a Democrat and Binghamton University alumnus (class of 1982), served as mayor of Binghamton, New York, from 2006 to 2013, focusing on economic development and public safety initiatives during his two terms.[32] He ran unsuccessfully for Broome County District Attorney in 2023, losing to Republican Paul Battisti by approximately 3,000 votes amid a competitive race emphasizing criminal justice priorities.[33]Sports
Rugby league
Matthew Ryan (born 15 September 1969) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played primarily as a centre, but also as a winger and fullback.[34] He represented Country New South Wales in 1989 before joining the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, where he established a long-term career in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) premiership and its successor competitions.[34] Ryan debuted in first grade for the Bulldogs in Round 3 of the 1990 season against Canberra Raiders.[35] Over eight seasons with the club (1990–1992 and 1994–1998), he appeared in 95 games, scoring a career-high 17 tries in 1997 during the Super League season.[35] His tenure included participation as a replacement in the 1994 Grand Final loss to Canberra and a starting role in the 1995 premiership-winning team that defeated Manly Sea Eagles 17–4.[35] Injuries disrupted his progress, including a season-ending back issue in 1992, a knee injury in 1996 that limited him to one game, and another knee problem in 1998.[35] In 1997, he earned selection for three State of Origin games for New South Wales.[35] Ryan briefly left the Bulldogs in 1993 to play in regional leagues, returning in 1994 after signing with Coffs Harbour Comets but rejoining Canterbury instead.[34] He concluded his top-flight career with nine games for the North Queensland Cowboys in 1999, retiring after accumulating 104 first-grade appearances, 37 tries, and 148 points across all clubs.[34]| Year | Club | Games Played | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Canterbury | 3 | 0 |
| 1991 | Canterbury | 10 | Not specified in source |
| 1992 | Canterbury | 6 | Not specified in source |
| 1994 | Canterbury | 17 | Not specified in source |
| 1995 | Canterbury | 15 | Not specified in source |
| 1996 | Canterbury | 1 | Not specified in source |
| 1997 | Canterbury | 19 | 17 |
| 1998 | Canterbury | 24 | Not specified in source |
| 1999 | North Queensland | 9 | Not specified in source |
American football
Matthew Thomas Ryan, known professionally as Matt Ryan, is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons. Born on May 17, 1985, in Exton, Pennsylvania, Ryan attended Boston College, where he set school records for passing yards (10,539) and touchdowns (88) over four seasons, earning Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors in 2007 after throwing for 3,552 yards and 31 touchdowns.[3][36] Selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Ryan started all 16 games as a rookie, completing 265 of 434 passes for 3,426 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, leading the Falcons to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance; he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press.[3][2] In his first five seasons, Ryan amassed 56 wins as a starting quarterback, the most in NFL history for any quarterback in that span.[37] He guided the Falcons to the playoffs six times from 2008 to 2017, including a Super Bowl LI appearance in 2017, where Atlanta led 28-3 before losing 34-28 in overtime to the New England Patriots.[3] Ryan's peak performance came in 2016, when he threw for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns with only seven interceptions, earning NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards from the Associated Press; he completed 69.9% of his passes that season, setting a franchise single-season record.[37] Over 14 seasons with the Falcons, Ryan set franchise records for career passing yards (59,735), completions (4,867), attempts (7,443), and touchdowns (367).[37] Traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2022, he started 12 games that year, completing 67.0% of passes for 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions before being benched; the Colts finished 4-12-1.[38] Ryan retired following the 2022 season.[3] Across his NFL career, Ryan appeared in 222 games, completing 4,944 of 7,443 passes for 62,792 yards, 381 touchdowns, and 183 interceptions, with a passer rating of 94.6; he earned four Pro Bowl selections (2010, 2016, 2018, 2020) and was known for his accuracy and leadership, earning the nickname "Matty Ice" for clutch performances in late-game situations.[3][38][39]| Category | Career Totals |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 222 |
| Passing Yards | 62,792 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 381 |
| Interceptions | 183 |
| Passer Rating | 94.6 |
| Rushing Yards | 1,548 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 13 |