Cam Newton calls out Falcons fans for failing to appreciate Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan spent 14 years under center for the Atlanta Falcons and while he didn't give them a Super Bowl ring, he came pretty dang close. But close wasn't good enough for the city of Atlanta, or so he felt. The former 2016 MVP quarterback joined Cam Newton's "4th & 1" podcast where he admitted […]
Matt Ryan spent 14 years under center for the Atlanta Falcons and while he didn't give them a Super Bowl ring, he came pretty dang close.
But close wasn't good enough for the city of Atlanta, or so he felt.
The former 2016 MVP quarterback joined Cam Newton's "4th & 1" podcast where he admitted to feeling underappreciated for his work, both on and off the field.
“The short answer, is probably no,” Ryan said when Newton asked if his work has been appreciated in Atlanta. “But, at the same time, I’m proud of what I did, and the time that I spent there. I think there was a level of consistency that we provided. The division was a juggernaut, in my opinion.
"You look at the defenses. You're playing good defenses. You knew it was always going to be physical in New Orleans. I know Tampa, for the most part wasn't as good, but their defense was legit. We're playing in this tough division. You're playing against you [Newton], Drew Brees — you knew you were getting the best of the best every time you went out. And I think there was a level of consistency of all three of us at that time in the division and it made it hard."
Newton pointed out that at the time Ryan and he were competing, the NFC South was the most competitive division.
“But the reason why I asked that question is," Newton said, "I say this, a native of Atlanta, I went through the transition from the Michael Vick to Matt Ryan, and I will say I don’t think you do have the measure of respect of the body of work that you did. Of course, it's coming from a biased tongue because I look at it from a fan and also the person who hated Matt Ryan. … And I would hate facing you guys. But at the same time, looking at the things you did philanthropically, working with the community … the expectations in Atlanta as a whole is high. People are yearning for success. I say no because you've earned your flowers and I don't think you've gotten yours just yet."
Ryan was as consistent as one could hope for in a quarterback as he threw for a minimum of 4,000 yards for 10 straight seasons (2011-20) and logged at least 20 touchdowns during that time. He also completed over 60 percent of his passes for 12 consecutive years and earned four Pro Bowl nods.
And despite how things abruptly ended with the team, Ryan still gives back to Atlanta through his non-profit, Advance the Lives (ATL), which was established to help young Black lives achieve their dreams.
But all fans seem to remember is Ryan's part in that dreadful Super Bowl loss to New England nine years ago.
Two former Falcons stars named to 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame
It’s about time.
