Ryan Izzo and Tom Izzo share a common last name, but are they related? Many sports fans have wondered about this question, especially since both of them have achieved success in their respective fields. Ryan Izzo is a tight end for the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League (USFL), while Tom Izzo is the legendary head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team.
In this article, we will explore the truth behind the Izzo name and whether there is any family connection between Ryan and Tom.
Contents
Ryan Izzo: A Rising Star in Football
Ryan Izzo was born on December 21, 1995, in Highland Lakes, New Jersey. He attended Pope John XXIII Regional High School, where he played football as a tight end. He also played basketball and was a teammate of current NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns
Ryan Izzo committed to play college football for the Florida State Seminoles in 2013. He redshirted his first year and then played in all 13 games in each of the next three seasons. He caught 54 passes for 743 yards and six touchdowns in his college career. He also rushed for 146 yards and one touchdown on 12 attempts
Ryan Izzo declared for the 2018 NFL Draft and was selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round (250th overall). He spent his rookie season on injured reserve, but won a Super Bowl ring with the team. He made his NFL debut in 2019 and caught 13 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown. He became the 73rd different player to catch a touchdown pass from Tom Brady, scoring on a 10-yard play against the Washington Redskins
Ryan Izzo was traded to the Houston Texans in 2021, but did not make the final roster. He then signed with the New York Giants, but was waived shortly after. He also had brief stints with the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans, but did not appear in any games for them. He signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2022, but was released before the start of the season
Ryan Izzo joined the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL in 2023, hoping to revive his football career. He is currently one of the starting tight ends for the team.
Tom Izzo: A Hall of Fame Coach
Tom Izzo was born on January 30, 1955, in Iron Mountain, Michigan. He played basketball at Northern Michigan University from 1973 to 1977, where he was a point guard and a teammate of future NFL head coach Steve Mariucci. He graduated with a degree in education in 1977
Tom Izzo began his coaching career as an assistant at Ishpeming High School from 1977 to 1979. He then returned to Northern Michigan as an assistant coach from 1979 to 1983. He joined Michigan State as an assistant coach under Jud Heathcote in 1983 and stayed there until he was promoted to head coach in 1995
Tom Izzo has been one of the most successful and respected coaches in college basketball history. He has led the Spartans to eight Final Fours, including a national championship in 2000 and a runner-up finish in 2009. He has also won ten Big Ten regular season titles and six Big Ten tournament titles. He has been named national coach of the year four times and Big Ten coach of the year three times. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016
Tom Izzo is known for his intense and passionate coaching style, his emphasis on defense and rebounding, and his loyalty to his players and staff. He has mentored many former assistants who have become head coaches at other schools, such as Tom Crean, Brian Gregory, Mark Montgomery, Stan Heath, Jim Boylen, Dwayne Stephens, Mike Garland, Doug Wojcik, and Dane Fife. He has also developed many players who have gone on to play in the NBA, such as Draymond Green, Zach Randolph, Jason Richardson, Gary Harris, Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cassius Winston, Denzel Valentine, Bryn Forbes, Xavier Tillman Sr., Aaron Henry, and Matt Costello.
Is Ryan Izzo Related to Tom Izzo?
The answer is no. Ryan Izzo and Tom Izzo are not related by blood or by marriage. They just happen to share a common surname that is derived from Italian ancestry.
According to sitename Ancestry.com , Izzo is a variant of Izzo, which is a nickname for someone who was born on the feast day of St. Vitus (June 15). The name Vitus comes from the Latin word vita, meaning “life
The Izzo name is most common in southern Italy, especially in the regions of Campania, Basilicata, and Calabria. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as France, Spain, and Switzerland
Ryan Izzo and Tom Izzo have both traced their roots to Italy, but they have not found any evidence of a family link. Ryan Izzo’s paternal grandfather was born in Naples, while Tom Izzo’s paternal grandfather was born in Calabria
Ryan Izzo and Tom Izzo have met each other a few times and have exchanged pleasantries, but they do not have a close relationship. They both respect each other’s achievements and wish each other well, but they do not consider each other as family.
Conclusion
Ryan Izzo and Tom Izzo are two successful sports figures who share a common last name, but not a common ancestry. They are not related by blood or by marriage, but they are both proud of their Italian heritage and their Izzo name. They are both examples of hard work, dedication, and excellence in their respective fields.
