sport news Matt Ryan officially announces his retirement after an MVP award, four Pro ... trends now

Quarterback Matt Ryan, who put up Hall of Fame-worthy numbers over his stellar career with the Atlanta Falcons but came up heartbreakingly shy of a Super Bowl championship, officially announced his retirement as a player Monday.

After not playing since a solitary disappointing season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, Ryan had not appeared on an NFL field since. 

Last season, Ryan worked as an analyst for CBS, receiving a rousing ovation when he called a game in Atlanta.

'Ever since I can remember, all I ever wanted to do was play professional sports,' Ryan said in a video posted to his social media accounts. 'The Atlanta Falcons gave me that chance.'

Ryan, who turns 39 next month, threw for 62,792 yards and 381 touchdowns over his 15-year career, spent mostly as the face of the Falcons during the most successful era in franchise history.

He ranks seventh in NFL history for passing yards, ninth in career TD passes and won the league MVP award in 2016.

'Football is the ultimate team sport,' Ryan said. 'I was lucky to be surrounded by so many great teammates and coaches.'

The one thing that eluded Matty Ice was a title.

He guided Atlanta to a Super Bowl appearance - just the second in franchise history - at the end of the 2016 season, but the Falcons infamously squandered a 28-3 lead late in the third quarter. 

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots rallied for a 34-28 overtime victory, which made Atlanta a national laughingstock.

The franchise has struggled to overcome that mammoth flop, currently mired in a streak of six straight losing seasons.

Ryan would lead the Falcons to one more playoff appearance in 2017, but closed his career with five straight losing

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