Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Ryan attended Rice University where he played college football. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1958 NFL Draft. After spending four seasons with the Rams, Ryan was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1962.
Ryan's career took off with the Browns. He was named the team's starting quarterback in 1963 and quickly established himself as one of the league's top passers. In 1964, he led the Browns to a 10-3-1 record and a berth in the NFL Championship Game against the Baltimore Colts. Ryan threw three touchdown passes in the championship game, leading the Browns to a 27-0 victory and their first NFL title since 1955.
Ryan's performance in the 1964 season earned him Pro Bowl honors, and he was named First-Team All-Pro. He would go on to earn Pro Bowl honors again in 1965 and 1966.
Despite his success, Ryan's career was plagued by injuries. He suffered a series of shoulder and arm injuries that limited his playing time and effectiveness. Despite these setbacks, he remained the Browns' starting quarterback until 1968.
In 1969, Ryan was traded to the Washington Redskins. He spent two seasons with the Redskins before retiring from professional football in 1970.
Throughout his career, Ryan was known for his intelligence and strategic thinking. He earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from Rice University during his playing career and was often referred to as "the NFL's smartest man." After retiring from football, he used his academic background to work in various administrative roles in professional sports, including serving as the director of information systems for the NFL.
In total, Ryan played in the NFL for 13 seasons. He completed 1,396 of 2,541 passes for 20,175 yards and 149 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,157 yards and 16 touchdowns. Despite his injury struggles, Ryan is remembered as one of the top quarterbacks of his era and a key figure in the history of the Cleveland Browns.
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1½ hours
1964–1978
As we dive into this full game simulation, we're looking at a classic matchup between...
1978 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. 1964 Cleveland Browns • Full Game Simulation / As we dive into this full game simulation, we're looking at a classic matchup between the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 1964 Cleveland Browns. The '78 Steelers, led by Terry Bradshaw, were in the midst of their golden era, having won Super Bowl XIII that season, their third Super Bowl in five years. They were known for their powerful "Steel Curtain" defense and a balanced offense. On the other side, the '64 Browns were the last Cleveland team to win an NFL Championship, led by the legendary Jim Brown, who was arguably the best running back of his time. The '64 Browns were also known for their strong defense, which had three shutouts that season. The game promises to be a battle of defenses and a duel between two of the most iconic franchises in NFL history.