Ryan Izzo and Larry Izzo are two names that have been associated with the NFL for many years. Ryan is a tight end who currently plays for the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League (USFL), while Larry is a former linebacker and special teamer who is now the special teams coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. But are they related? And if so, how?
The Family Connection
The answer is yes, Ryan and Larry are related, but not very closely. They are second cousins once removed, meaning that Ryan’s grandfather and Larry’s great-grandfather were brothers According to Ryan, he and Larry have met a few times at family reunions, but they are not very close
The Football Journey
Ryan and Larry have both had successful careers in football, but they took different paths to get there. Ryan was a standout player at Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, New Jersey, where he played tight end and defensive end. He then attended Florida State University, where he was a four-year starter and a reliable target for the Seminoles. He finished his college career with 54 receptions for 761 yards and six touchdowns
Ryan was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, joining the same team that Larry had played for from 2001 to 2008. Ryan spent three seasons with the Patriots, catching 19 passes for 313 yards and one touchdown. He also won a Super Bowl ring with the team in 2019
Ryan was traded to the Houston Texans in 2021, but he did not make the final roster. He then signed with the New York Giants, but was released before the season started. He also had brief stints with the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans, but did not see any game action. He finally found a home with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL, a new league that launched in 2023
Larry, on the other hand, was not highly recruited out of high school. He attended McCullough High School in The Woodlands, Texas, where he played running back and safety. He then went to Rice University, where he wore the number 26 and became a star linebacker and special teamer. He set school records for tackles for losses and was named a consensus All-Southwest Conference selection in 1995
Larry was not drafted by any NFL team in 1996, but he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins. He quickly made a name for himself as a special teams ace, earning three Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro nod in his five seasons with the Dolphins. He also led the team in special teams tackles every year from 1997 to 2000.
Larry joined the New England Patriots in 2001 as a free agent, and became a key contributor to their dynasty. He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, and was named a team captain for eight consecutive seasons. He also caught one pass for eight yards from Tom Brady in 2004. He finished his playing career with the New York Jets in 2009, where he reunited with his former coach Rex Ryan.
Larry transitioned to coaching after his retirement, starting as an assistant special teams coordinator for the New York Giants in 2011. He won another Super Bowl ring with the Giants in 2012, and stayed with them until 2015. He then became the special teams coordinator for the Houston Texans from 2016 to 2017, working under his former teammate Bill O’Brien. He joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 as an assistant special teams coordinator, and was promoted to special teams coordinator in 2020 after Brian Schneider left for personal reasons.
The Future Prospects
Ryan and Larry are both still active in football, but they have different goals and challenges ahead of them. Ryan is trying to establish himself as a star tight end in the USFL, a league that aims to compete with the NFL and offer an alternative for players and fans. He hopes to use his experience and skills to help the Stars win games and attract attention from NFL scouts.
Larry is trying to maintain his reputation as one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL, a role that requires constant innovation and adaptation. He has to deal with roster turnover, rule changes, injuries, and weather conditions that affect his units’ performance. He also has to balance his coaching duties with his family life, as he is married with two children.
Ryan and Larry may not be very close as relatives, but they share a passion for football and a respect for each other’s achievements. They are both proud members of the Izzo family, and they have both made their mark on the NFL and beyond.
