Saints RT Ryan Ramczyk retires, displays on journey from ‘welder to All-Professional’

Ryan Ramczyk will announce the New Orleans Saints’ Day 2 picks in the course of the 2025 NFL Draft subsequent week, however now he’ll accomplish that as a former participant. On Thursday night time, the suitable deal with made a distinct announcement: His retirement from the NFL. 

“What an unimaginable journey it has been,” Ramczyk wrote on social media. “My path to the NFL wasn’t a straight line, it wasn’t the story most individuals anticipate. There have been moments when individuals doubted me, moments once I doubted myself. It is humorous how life works out. Typically the street much less traveled results in locations you by no means anticipated, but it surely finally ends up being precisely the place you had been meant to be. 

“At the moment I replicate on all of the twists and turns that received me thus far, from technical school to grow to be a ‘welder’ to All-Professional within the NFL. As I step into retirement, I am stuffed with gratitude for every thing this sport has given me.”

The Saints drafted Ramczyk in 2017 with the ultimate choose of the primary spherical. He went on to start out all 16 video games that season at proper deal with and have become one of many key members, alongside cornerback Marshon Lattimore and operating again Alvin Kamara, of New Orleans’ immediately profitable rookie class. 

Ramczyk was later named to a few straight All-Professional groups from 2018-20, together with a first-team nod in 2019. Although he began all 101 regular-season video games during which he appeared, Ramczyk’s closing years within the NFL had been restricted due to harm. Actually, he missed the complete 2024 season attributable to a lingering knee concern. 

Nonetheless, the 30-year-old didn’t specific any regrets about his profession.

“I owe an enormous thanks to the sport of soccer, and to the numerous coaches and teammates who’ve supported and challenged me alongside the way in which,” he wrote.

As Ramczyk alluded to, his journey to the NFL took a number of turns alongside the way in which. He briefly performed Division II soccer at Winona State College earlier than taking a break from soccer to check welding. He returned to the sphere at Division III College of Wisconsin-Stevens Level, the place he performed for 2 seasons. In 2016, he transferred to Wisconsin and have become an All-American in his lone season with the Badgers.  

“I am excited for what the long run holds, particularly the chance to spend extra time with my two boys and watch them develop. I am wanting ahead to this subsequent chapter in life and am perpetually grateful. Who Dat for all times,” he continued. 

Ramczyk spent his complete NFL profession with the Saints.

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