Falcons to induct owner Arthur M. Blank and quarterback Matt Ryan into Ring of Honor in 2024

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — For the first time in 15 years, the Atlanta Falcons will induct two members into the Ring of Honor in the same season.

The Falcons announced Tuesday that owner and president Arthur M. Blank and former quarterback Matt Ryan have been chosen to join the organization’s immortal ranks.

There hasn’t been a two-person class since 2008, when Mike Kenn and Claude Humphrey were inducted. There has not been anyone appointed at-large since 2022.

Currently, the Falcons’ Ring of Honor has 12 members, with offensive lineman Todd McClure earning the most recent honor. Blank and Ryan will bring the number to 14 once officially inducted.

“On behalf of the Atlanta Falcons, it is a privilege to recognize two of our franchise icons as they enter our Ring of Honor,” said team president Greg Beadles.

The Falcons will hold induction ceremonies for Blank and Ryan in separate games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season. Blank will be honored on September 22 during the Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Ryan will receive his flowers on October 3 during the Week 5 contest with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Blank acquired the Falcons in 2002 and ushered in an era of unprecedented success. Before Blank’s arrival, the Falcons had never posted back-to-back winning seasons, a feat they have achieved five times since. Under his leadership, the team compiled a 178-176-1 regular season record with eight playoff appearances, including appearances in two NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl.

“Since Arthur purchased the team in 2002, results on and off the field have improved,” Beadles said, “and his unwavering dedication to the fans and the city of Atlanta deserves this recognition and more Again.”

Since co-founding Home Depot, Blank has been an entrepreneur and philanthropist. It has taken its successful customer-focused business model into the fan realm, always prioritizing those who support its entities. This has always been non-negotiable for Blank, and it has paid off.

Through his various works, Blank has received numerous national honors. “Forbes” named him one of the world’s greatest living business minds in 2017 and one of America’s Top 50 Donors in 2018. Blank was also named the 2018 Athletic Director of the Year by the “Sports Business Journal”. Then, just last May, Blank won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the “Sports Business Journal.”

The Blank family of companies includes three main branches. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation stands alone. AMB Sports and Entertainment then features the Falcons, Atlanta United, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and PGA TOUR Superstore. There is also AMB West, which owns Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch and Dome Mountain Property.

While Blank’s impact was made in a coat and tie, Ryan’s was made in the No. 2 jersey.

The Falcons selected Ryan third overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, a decision that changed the course of the franchise for the next 14 years.

Ryan immediately began his career as a starter, which was quite rare at the time. He led the Falcons to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance as a rookie. He completed 61.1% of his passes for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a result, Ryan was voted Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press, becoming only the third quarterback to win the honor at the time.

The success and accolades only continued from there.

Ryan propelled the Falcons to five more playoff bids, including a Super Bowl berth in 2016. During that championship run, Ryan once again pushed the Falcons to an 11-5 record after completing 69, 9% of his passes for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns. He won the AP MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards and was named an AP first-team All-Pro.

The 2021 season was Ryan’s last in Atlanta. He was 7-10, completing 67% of his passes for 3,968 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Officially, Ryan retired as a Falcon on April 22, 2024, after signing a one-day contract. Looking at his entire career in Atlanta, he started 222 of a possible 225 regular season games with a record of 120-102. He completed 65.5% of his passes for 59,735 yards and 367 touchdowns, finishing his career as the most accomplished quarterback in franchise history.

“Matt’s character and talent on and off the field distinguish him as one of the greatest Falcons players of all time,” Beadles said, “and we believe his career will be recognized in the Hall of Fame professional football in the future.

“We look forward to celebrating Arthur and Matt this fall and honoring their immeasurable impact on our franchise.”

Blank, 81, is a native of Queens, New York. Ryan, 39, is originally from Exton, Pennsylvania. Along with McClure, other Ring of Honor inductees are running back William Andrews (2004), quarterback Steve Bartkowski (’04), linebacker Tommy Nobis, linebacker Jessie Tuggle (’04), center Jeff Van Note (’06), offensive lineman. Mike Kenn (’08), defensive lineman Claude Humphrey (’08), defensive back Deion Sanders (’10), Gerald Riggs (’13), running back Warrick Dunn (’17) and wide receiver Roddy White (’19).