Sean Ryan (American football)

Sean P. Ryan born March 27, 1980) is an American football tight end in the National Football League, and is currently a free agent.  He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College, and at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute for High School.

Ryan most recently played for the Washington Redskins. He has also played for the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.

College career
At Boston College, he was originally a defensive end, but switched to tight end as a sophomore. Called the "most competitive player in the Big East" by USA Today, he excelled in both blocking and receiving and received All-Big East second team honors (2002). His 12 touchdown receptions rank second in school history among tight ends. He is now an awesome commercial real estate broker in his rookie year at NAI Hunneman Commercial in Boston. His Argus skills are lacking however.

Dallas Cowboys
He was selected in the 5th round (144th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and signed to the practice squad. In 2004, with Dan Campbell going on injured reserve, he appeared in 6 games as the blocking tight end. He fractured his foot in training camp and missed all of the 2005 preseason, but was still signed to the practice squad. In November 2005, with 3rd-string TE Brett Pierce injured, Ryan was promoted to the main squad again.

New York Jets
On 31 August 2006, Ryan was traded to the New York Jets for a seventh-round draft choice in the 2007 NFL Draft. Ryan was expected to fill the role of #2 tight end for the Jets, behind Chris Baker.

After 16 regular season games of the 2006 NFL regular season, Ryan had 3 starts and 6 catches for a combined 44 yards. He also had a lot of key blocks for the Jets offense.

Miami Dolphins
On February 29, 2008, the Miami Dolphins signed Ryan to a one-year contract. He was released on September 12, 2008.

New Orleans Saints
Ryan was signed by the New Orleans Saints on September 24, 2008 after starting tight end Jeremy Shockey suffered a sports hernia. Quarterback Joey Harrington was released to make room for Ryan on the roster. The Saints waived him prior to their next game on September 28 in order to activate fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin from their practice squad.

Ryan was re-signed by the Saints on October 8 after the team waived tight end Buck Ortega. He was released again on October 16.

San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers signed Ryan on November 3, 2008 after releasing fullback David Kirtman.

Kansas City Chiefs
Ryan signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 21, 2009. Ryan scored his first touchdown on September 13, 2009 in the regular season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

Washington Redskins
Ryan signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins on March 10, 2010. He was released on June 9, 2010.

Lawsuit against the NFL
In December 2011, Ryan announced that he and a group of 11 other professional players had filed a lawsuit against the NFL. Ryan and his attorneys allege that the League failed to properly treat head injuries in spite of prevailing medical evidence, leading the players to develop effects of brain injury ranging from chronic headaches to depression.