Ryan becomes first CIS graduate to play in and win Super Bowl

OTTAWA (CIS) – Seattle punter Jon Ryan, a former standout at the University of Regina, became Sunday the first CIS graduate to play in and win the Super Bowl when his Seahawks crushed the Denver Broncos 43-8 in the NFL championship game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Ryan, who starred for the U of R Rams from 2000 to 2003, was the fourth CIS grad to compete in the game, joining Israel Idonije (Manitoba Bisons), Jean-Philippe Darche (McGill Redmen) and Ken Clark (Saint Mary’s Huskies). His three predecessors had all failed in their quest for a Super Bowl ring.

Idonije, a defensive end who is now a member of the Detroit Lions, played for Chicago when the Bears lost 29-17 to Indianapolis in 2007. Darche was Seattle’s long snapper when the Seahawks dropped a 21-10 decision to Pittsburgh in 2006. Clark was the Los Angeles Rams punter when they were defeated 31-19 by Pittsburgh in 1980.

Two CIS standouts had earned CIS rings before Ryan but both were watching from the sidelines when their team captured the Lombardi Trophy. Offensive lineman Dan Federkeil (Calgary Dinos) was on Indianapolis’ active roster in 2007 but was left out of the lineup when the Colts battled Chicago. Receiver Tyrone Williams (Western Mustangs) was in the same situation in 1994 when his Dallas Cowboys beat Buffalo 30-13.

Williams was also with the Cowboys when they dominated Buffalo 52-17 in the 1993 Super Bowl but did not receive a ring as a member of the practice roster.

A two-time CIS All-Canadian and three-time Canada West all-star, Ryan had to punt only once in Sunday’s championship match, a 45-yard effort, and was also the holder on extra points. The 32-year-old native of Regina has a career average of 44.8 yards per punt in 127 NFL regular season games.

Ryan was selected by Winnipeg in the third round (24th overall) of the 2004 CFL draft and played two seasons with the Blue Bombers – including an all-star nod in 2005 - before starting his NFL career with Green Bay in 2006. Following two campaigns with the Packers, he signed with Seattle as a free agent on Sept. 9, 2008 and just completed his sixth year with the Seahawks.

CIS PLAYERS WITH SUPER BOWL RINGS

2014: Jon Ryan (Regina), Seattle (played)
2007: Dan Federkeil (Calgary), Indianapolis (active roster - did not play)
1994: Tyrone Williams (Western), Dallas (active roster - did not play)

CIS PLAYERS IN SUPER BOWL

2014: Jon Ryan (Regina), Seattle, active roster
2010: Dan Federkeil (Calgary), Indianapolis, injured reserve (did not dress)
2010: Samuel Giguère (Sherbrooke), Indianapolis, active roster (did not dress)
2007: Dan Federkeil (Calgary), Indianapolis, active roster (did not dress)
2007: Israel Idonije (Manitoba), Chicago, active roster (dressed)
2006: Jean-Philippe Darche (McGill), Seattle, active roster (dressed)
1994: Tyrone Williams (Western), Dallas, active roster (did not dress)
1993: Tyrone Williams (Western), Dallas, practice roster (did not dress)
1980: Ken Clark (Saint Mary’s), LA Rams, active roster (dressed)

CIS PLAYERS CURRENTLY IN NFL

Stefan Charles (Regina): Buffalo defensive tackle
Cory Greenwood (Concordia): Detroit linebacker (spent 2013 season on injured reserve)
Akiem Hicks (Regina): New Orleans defensive end
Israel Idonije (Manitoba): Detroit defensive end
Vaughn Martin (Western): Free agent (released by Miami on Nov. 8 – injury settlement)
Jon Ryan (Regina): Seattle punter

About Canadian Interuniversity Sport

Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Every year, 11,000 student-athletes and 700 coaches from 55 universities and four regional associations vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit www.cis-sic.ca or follow us on:

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