Seahawks release Jon Ryan, who bids team and fans farewell in emotional statement

After ten years, two Super Bowl appearances, and a Super Bowl win, Jon Ryan’s days with the Seattle Seahawks are now over.

Ryan tweeted out an emotional statement on Monday thanking the Seahawks organization, the city of Seattle, and of course the fans.

If you can’t see the tweet for whatever reason, the full statement is as follows:

“It’s been an absolute honor and privilege to play in this creat city of Seattle for the past 10 years. I never wanted this day to come, but knew it would someday. Even though I’m leaving, I will always be a Seahawk.

“I have so many amazing memories over the past decade — from our Super Bowl 48 victory, to throwing a touchdown pass in the NFC Championship, to breaking the record of how many times a person could say ‘butthole’ in one radio interview — it’s been an amazing ride.

“I want to thank all of my teammates over the years, Paul Allen, John Schneider, Matt Thomas, and Peter McLoughlin, the amazing coaches I’ve had here: Mike Holmgren, Jim Mora Jr. and Pete Carroll, and the entire support staff at 12 Seahawks Way. But more than anything I want to thank the 12’s. You embraced a pale skinned, red headed Canadian with a speech impediment and made him feel like a super star. I will forever be grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you Seattle.”

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that Ryan asked for his release and the Seahawks granted it, so the punter competition between him and rookie Michael Dickson is over. In terms of cap space, the Seahawks save $2.6 million this season, which is the penultimate one of Ryan’s contract. The writing was on the wall the moment Seattle traded up in the fifth-round to take the Australian phenom out of the University of Texas at this year’s draft, and now the sad day has come.

With Ryan’s departure, the Seahawks now have no one on the roster from the Mike Holmgren-coached, Tim Ruskell-managed 2008 squad, so it’s the end of an era on multiple fronts.

Thanks for everything, Jon.