Indianapolis Colts QB Matt Ryan’s HOF ball contains an unintentional 28-3 reminder
INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Colts midfielder Matt Ryan will have to relive a traumatic memory even as it marks one of his most important milestones.
The ball Ryan used to pass 60,000 yards in his career last Sunday Houston Texas was on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, this week.
But there is an unfortunate coincidence: The serial number on the ball is “283”, a number that is quite reminiscent of the 28-3 that Ryan and his former team, Atlanta Falcons, is notorious. Atlanta leads New England Patriots 28-3 in the third quarter of Super Bowl LI before the Patriots came back for the ages and won 34-28.
🗣 New to Pro Football Hall of Fame
Last weekend, @Colts QB @ M_Ryan02 Only became the eighth QB in NFL history to hit 60,000 yards in his career.
The ball with which he passed this milestone is now on display in Canton. pic.twitter.com/gZmhdCLk68
– Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) September 14, 2022
The happy Ryan was unaware until he was approached in the dressing room on Friday. “I don’t know,” he said. “I never even looked at the serial number.”
The Colts, like all teams, prepare multiple balls for each game and spin them into action throughout. Therefore, the ball Ryan used to cross 60,000 yards was purely coincidental, a team spokesman said. The ball was immediately taken out of the spin and set aside before being sent to the Hall of Fame earlier this week.
Ryan became only the eighth quarterback to hit 60,000 yards of passing. He is the second fastest person to reach this milestone (223 games), just behind Drew Brees (215 games).