William F. Ryan
- For the politician see William Fitts Ryan
William F. Ryan a.k.a. The Bronx Comet (1907-1954) was an American checkers player who won national titles in both 1939 and 1946.[1] He counted Sam Gonotsky as a mentor and friend.[2] He was known as the champ of "blindfold checkers" and wrote several books on the game. He also worked on a magazine concerning it and once played against musician Benny Goodman. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1954.[3]