PHOENIX — The Seahawks wouldn’t be in a second straight Super Bowl without Jon Ryan.
Sure, Ryan is one of the NFL’s better punters, and helps them win the field-position battle. But in the NFC Championship, his 19-yard touchdown pass on a fake field-goal attempt against the Packers sparked Seattle to make an epic comeback from down 16-0.
MORE: Media day in photos | Celebrities pick the big game | Staubach sees himself in Wilson | Media day madness
While Seahawks fans will remember that play forever, Ryan’s memory is a little fuzzy.
“As a punter, you always kind of dream of that opportunity to throw a touchdown pass," Ryan said. "You never really think it’s going to happen, and for it to happen in a big game, in a big moment, it means a lot to me that they put me in that situation.
“I was excited, but in the game, you just react. You don’t really have time to be nervous. You kind of just go with it. What happened was just a blur, I can’t really remember it.”
On that play, Ryan had to make one simple read: making sure Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk was in the right place. Once that happened, it was easy to find a streaking, scoring Garry Gilliam.
MORE: Ryan makes fun of his throwing face | Legion of Boom best ever?
“We kind of put A.J. Hawk on an island,” Ryan said. “He either had to play the run or play the pass. I knew if he came up to play the run, it was going to be a fairly easy pass over to Gills. I just had to get the ball to him.”
As far that other famous non-quarterback pass in the 2014 playoffs, Ryan says he doesn’t quite compare to Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman as a passer.
“I’ll give him that,” Ryan said. “Edelman can throw a nice ball. I’ve watched him. He’s pretty good.”
After showing off his arm, Ryan still is pretty convinced it hasn’t helped his odds to win Super Bowl XLIX MVP one bit.
“I’m sure they’re absolutely staggering,” Ryan joked. “I don’t even think it’s a possibility.”
MORE: William Hill releases Super Bowl props
