Matt Ryan, the long-time Atlanta Falcons quarterback who became a mainstay for the team, has thrown in the towel on a prolific NFL career. The 39-year-old announced his retirement on Monday after a season out of the game spent in the broadcast booth. "Ever since I can remember, all I ever wanted to do was play professional sports," Ryan said in a video posted on his social media accounts, a sentiment he likely shares with every youngster dreaming of gridiron glory.

Despite finishing his career with the Indianapolis Colts after a dire single season, Ryan's legacy is closely tied with the Falcons. He racked up 62,792 passing yards and 381 touchdowns, climbing to seventh in NFL history for passing yards, and ninth for career TD passes, according to stats reported by WABE. His 2016 MVP award was the cherry on top of a career that, despite its ups and downs, remained remarkable in longevity and statistics.

The quarterback, nicknamed "Matty Ice" for his cool demeanor under pressure, admits that a Super Bowl ring was the one accolade that escaped him. The crushing defeat in the 2017 Super Bowl marred an otherwise sterling season and left a bittersweet taste in the mouths of Falcons fans. "Football is the ultimate team sport," Ryan said, voicing appreciation for his teammates and coaches through the years. His leadership, however, could not reverse the team's six-season losing streak, a painful reality for both the franchise and fans.

Traded to the Colts in what many saw as a last-ditch effort to revitalize his career, Ryan's tenure in Indianapolis was a far cry from his golden days in Atlanta. His declining performance led to a benching and he finished with a 4-7-1 record as a starter for the Colts. "I was lucky to be surrounded by so many great teammates and coaches," he said, reflecting on his better days. Despite broadcasting ambitions, Ryan remained open to an NFL return but, the call never came.

But let's not forget the considerable mark Ryan left on the Falcons' franchise. Taking over in the wake of the Michael Vick scandal, Ryan brought stability and a string of successes to a team that historically struggled with consistency. He carried the Falcons to six playoff appearances, including an NFC championship game in the 2012 season and recorded ten consecutive seasons with over 4,000 passing yards. He closes the books with a 124-109-1 record as a starter, showing he could sling it with the best of them in his heyday.

Ryan may not part the red sea on a football field anymore, but he's set to do so one last time at an afternoon news conference at the Falcons' training facility, as reported by WABE. It's a tribute well-earned for a player who defined an era in Atlanta's sports history, even if it didn't end with the sound of a Super Bowl victory parade marching down Peachtree Street.