Who is Rick?

Who is Rick?

Ricky Bryan was born on March 20, 1962 in Wagoner, OK to Jack and Sandra Bryan. He grew up in Coweta with 3 siblings Terri, Mitch and Stevie Bryan.

Ricky received his education in the Coweta school system and graduated from Coweta High School in 1980.

He then attended the University of Oklahoma where he played football for four years. Ricky was a two-time All-American defensive lineman for OU in 1982 and 1983. He set a record that still stands for most career tackles by a Sooner lineman. He was a three-time All-Big Eight player at OU during his career from 1980-1983. He received the Don Key Award in 1983.

Ricky became a first-round draft choice with the Atlanta Falcons. In 1984 he was the NFL-NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was the NFL Lineman of the Year in 1987. He spent all ten years of his professional career with the Atlanta Falcons, and still has the tenth most sacks in a career in Falcons’ history, with the eighth most yardage lost. He eventually was forced into retirement by a number of injuries, including neck and back pains and a popped Achilles tendon. He was diagnosed with a spinal nerve injury in 1989, but kept playing and started sixteen games in each of the next two seasons.

Following his professional career, Ricky returned home to Coweta. Ricky and Shelby Bryan raised their 3 children (Kristin, Michael and Jenni) and dedicated hours upon hours to their 1,000-acre ranch and farm. Ricky was a member of First Baptist Church. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, cattle, and he loved spending time with his family. He spent many years coaching and mentoring young athletes in basketball and football. He was instrumental in forming the Coweta Little League Football Booster Club and served as its President for many years. He also served as a Lay Coach for the Coweta High School football program. The new Ricky Bryan Field House was named after Ricky in 2016 which contains 15,000 square feet of locker rooms. Dominating the east end of the building is a 30-foot high image of Bryan in his Atlanta Falcons uniform etched in glass, a commanding presence over Coweta activities on the field.