Jon Ryan

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**Jon Ryan**
National Football League debut
Jon Ryan holding for a Mason Crosby field goal
Green Bay Packers — No. 9
Punter
Date of birth: November 26, 1981 (1981-11-26) (age 26)
Place of birth: Regina, Saskatchewan
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	Weight: 202 lb (92 kg)
2006 for the Green Bay Packers
Career history
College: Regina
Undrafted in 2004
Teams: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2004-2005) Green Bay Packers (2006-present)
Career highlights and awards
On December 30, 2007 kicked a 72-yard punt - the longest punt at Lambeau Field since 1965,^[1] and tied for the longest in franchise history
Stats at NFL.com

Jonathan Robert Ryan (born November 26, 1981 in Regina, Saskatchewan) is an American football punter for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Regina.

1 Early years
2 Professional career
- 2.1 Canadian Football League
- 2.2 National Football League
3 Career stats
4 2007-2008 Stats
5 2006-2007 Stats
6 Notes
7 External links

[edit] Early years

Ryan played for the University of Regina Rams and for the Sheldon-Williams Spartans, a high school located in his hometown. In high school he played as running back, placekicker and punter.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Canadian Football League

In 2003 he led Canadian college punters with an average of 45.9 yards. The Blue Bombers selected Ryan in the third round (24th overall) of the 2004 CFL Draft. In 2004 he averaged 43.2 yards per punt and had a punt of 92 yards. In 2005, he set a CFL record by averaging 50.6 yards per punt. He also had the CFL's longest punt of 2005 (80 yards).

[edit] National Football League

In January of 2006 he signed a contract with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. He is only the third Saskatchewan native to make it to the NFL (the other two being Arnie Weinmeister and Rueben Mayes).

During training camp in 2006 he found out his father, Bob, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he persevered through a tough season, which included punting in a game two days after his father's death. His teammates voted him as the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award in 2006 for his display of courage and sportsmanship, and for being an inspiration in the locker room.

On September 30, 2007 against the Minnesota Vikings he became the first Packers punter to rush for a first down since David Beverly did so against the Houston Oilers on December 14, 1980.^[2] His rush attempt that resulted in a gain of 7 yards came on a fake punt that was originally intended to be a pass, however, he did not hear the coaches call it off at the last minute.^[3] He ran with the ball when he realized he had no one to throw to and ran into several of his blockers in the process because they did not know he was running with the ball.

On December 23, 2007 Ryan had two of his punts blocked by the Chicago Bears, including one that was returned for a touchdown. He also had a nine yard punt during the game and bobbled a snap on another that lead to a turnover on downs. Before this, the Packers went 929 punts without a blocked punt, dating back to September 11, 1995.

On December 30, 2007 during a 34-13 victory over the Detroit Lions, Ryan kicked a 72-yard punt in the fourth quarter, the longest punt at Lambeau Field since 1965.^[1] The punt tied for the longest in franchise history - set by Sean Landeta September 20, 1998 at Cincinnati. ^[4]

During the 2007 season, Ryan posted a net average of 37.6 yards, 12th in the NFL and the finest in Green Bay since 1969. His gross mark of 44.4 was the fourth-best in club history.^[5]

[edit] Career stats

Games Played	32
Number of Punts	144
Total Gross Punt Yards	6403
Total Net Punt Yards	5327
Longest Punt	72 yards
Shortest Punt	9 yards
Average Distance	44.5 yards
Net Average	37.0
Blocked Punts	2
Punts Out of Bounds	14
Inside 20	35
Touchbacks	23
Punts Downed	15
Punts Fair Caught	18
Punts Returned	74
Punts Returned for a Touchdown	1

Misc. Stats

Passing	1/1 16 yards
Rushing	3 attempts, -4 yards
Defense	1 assisted tackle

[edit] 2007-2008 Stats

Team: Green Bay Packers

Games Played	16
Number of Punts	60
Total Gross Punt Yards	2664
Total Net Punt Yards	2331
Longest Punt	72 yards
Average Distance	44.4 yards
Net Average	37.6
Blocked Punts	2
Punts Out of Bounds	9
Inside 20	18
Touchbacks	11
Punts Downed	7
Punts Fair Caught	14
Punts Returned	19
Punts Returned for a Touchdown	0

Misc. Stats

Passing	N/A
Rushing	2 attempts, 7 yards
Defense	N/A

[edit] 2006-2007 Stats

Team: Green Bay Packers

Games Played	16
Number of Punts	84
Total Gross Punt Yards	3739
Total Net Punt Yards	2996
Longest Punt	66 yards
Average Distance	44.5 yards
Net Average	35.7
Blocked Punts	0
Punts Out of Bounds	5
Inside 20	17
Touchbacks	12
Punts Downed	8
Punts Fair Caught	4
Punts Returned	55
Punts Returned for a Touchdown	1