Ryan to become first CIS grad to play in two Super Bowls
OTTAWA (CIS) – Seattle punter Jon Ryan, a former standoutat the University of Regina, will become Sunday the first CISgraduate to play in two Super Bowls when his Seahawks face the NewEngland Patriots in the NFL championship game at the University ofPhoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
A year ago, Ryan, who starred for the U of R Rams from 2000 to2003, became the first CIS grad to win the Super Bowl as aparticipating player when the Seahawks crushed Denver 43-8 in EastRutherford, New Jersey. The two-time CIS all-Canadian andthree-time Canada West all-star had to punt only once in the game,a 45-yard effort, and was also the holder on field goal and extrapoint attempts.
Before Ryan, three former CIS players, including Israel Idonije(Manitoba Bisons), Jean-Philippe Darche (McGill Redmen) and KenClark (Saint Mary’s Huskies), competed on Americanfootball’s biggest stage but they were all unsuccessful intheir quest for a Super Bowl ring.
Idonije played defensive end for Chicago when the Bears lost29-17 to Indianapolis in 2007. Darche was Seattle’s longsnapper when the Seahawks dropped a 21-10 decision to Pittsburgh in2006. Clark was the Los Angeles Rams punter when they were defeated31-19 by Pittsburgh in 1980.
Three other CIS standouts have reached the Super Bowl over theyears but were not in the lineup come game time. The list includesoffensive lineman Dan Federkeil (Calgary Dinos) with Indianapolisin 2007 (active roster) and 2010 (injured reserve); receiver SamuelGiguère (Sherbrooke Vert & Or), also with the Colts in2010 (active roster); as well as receiver Tyrone Williams (WesternMustangs) with Dallas in 1993 (practice roster) and 1994 (activeroster).
Federkeil (2007) and Williams (1994) own a Super Bowl ring eventhough they weren’t in the lineup for their team’striumph.
NOTES: Ryan played a key role inSeattle’s 28-22 overtime win over Green Bay in the NFCchampionship game on Jan. 18, throwing his first NFL touchdown passon a fake field goal attempt, in addition to maintaining a42.4-yard average on five punts... This season, 33-year-old Reginanative averaged 44.1 yards on 61 punts during the regular scheduleand has averaged 40.7 yards on nine punts so far in the playoffs...Ryan was selected by Winnipeg in the third round (24thoverall) of the 2004 CFL draft and played two seasons with the BlueBombers – including an all-star nod in 2005 - before startinghis NFL career with Green Bay in 2006. Following two campaigns withthe Packers, he signed with Seattle as a free agent on Sept. 9,2008 and is now in his seventh year with the Seahawks.
CIS PLAYERS INSUPER BOWL
2015: Jon Ryan (Regina), Seattle, P, active roster
2014: Jon Ryan (Regina), Seattle, P, active roster (dressed)
2010: Dan Federkeil (Calgary), Indianapolis, OL, injured reserve(did not dress)
2010: Samuel Giguère (Sherbrooke), Indianapolis, REC,active roster (did not dress)
2007: Dan Federkeil (Calgary), Indianapolis, OL, active roster(did not dress)
2007: Israel Idonije (Manitoba), Chicago, DE, active roster(dressed)
2006: Jean-Philippe Darche (McGill), Seattle, LS, active roster(dressed)
1994: Tyrone Williams (Western), Dallas, REC, active roster (didnot dress)
1993: Tyrone Williams (Western), Dallas, REC, practice roster(did not dress)
1980: Ken Clark (Saint Mary’s), LA Rams, P, active roster(dressed)
CIS PLAYERSWITH SUPER BOWL RINGS
2014: Jon Ryan (Regina), Seattle, P (played)
2007: Dan Federkeil (Calgary), Indianapolis, OL (active roster -did not play)
1994: Tyrone Williams (Western), Dallas, REC (active roster -did not play)
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