Honoring and congratulating Matt Ryan, a 2003 graduate of Penn Charter, on being named the NFL's 2016 Most Valuable Player and leading his team to Super Bowl LI.

WHEREAS, Matt Ryan was born in Exton, Pennsylvania, less than an hour from Philadelphia.

He attended high school at William Penn Charter School. Penn Charter is the oldest Quaker school in the world and is located in the 4th Councilmanic District. Ryan played football there, but also excelled in basketball and baseball; and

WHEREAS, After finishing high school, Matt Ryan went on to play football at Boston College. Between 2005 and 2007, Ryan led his team to win three bowl games; and

WHEREAS, After college, Matt Ryan was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2008 as a first round pick, beginning a successful career immediately. He started the entire season, helping his team to an 11-5 record and was named the NFL’s “Rookie of the Year”; and

WHEREAS, Matt Ryan had a spectacular 2016 season. He threw for 4,944 yards, completed 373 passes and threw for 38 touchdowns leading his team to an 11-5 record, securing a first round bye in the playoffs. The team scored 540 points-- the 7th most in NFL history; and

WHEREAS, Matt Ryan’s Atlanta Falcons destroyed the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round of the playoffs 36-20 and then trounced the Green Bay Packers 44-21, securing a spot in Super Bowl 51; and

WHEREAS, Although his Atlanta Falcons were defeated by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51, Matt Ryan went 17-23 and threw for 2 touchdowns and 284 yards, narrowly losing to Tom Brady and the Patriots; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia, Hereby honors and congratulates Matt Ryan on being named the NFL’s 2016 Most Valuable Player of the Year and for leading his team to the Super Bowl LI.

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