Matt Ryan is one of the most successful and popular quarterbacks in the NFL. He has been playing for the Atlanta Falcons since 2008, when he was drafted as the third overall pick. He has led the team to multiple playoff appearances, a Super Bowl appearance, and has won several individual awards, including the NFL MVP in 2016. He is also one of the highest-paid players in the league, with a contract worth $150 million over five years
But who is Matt Ryan’s wife, and what is her connection to Arthur Blank, the owner of the Falcons? Here are some facts about Sarah Marshall Ryan, and how she is related to one of the most influential businessmen in America.
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Sarah Marshall Ryan: A Former Athlete and a Philanthropist
Sarah Marshall Ryan was born on July 21, 1987, in Exton, Pennsylvania. She attended Downingtown West High School, where she was a star basketball player. She earned a scholarship to play for Boston College, where she met Matt Ryan, who was also a student-athlete there. They started dating in 2004, and got married in 2011
Sarah Marshall Ryan has a degree in communications from Boston College, and has worked as a sponsorship sales consultant for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. She is also very involved in philanthropic causes, especially those related to children’s health and education. She serves on the board of directors of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, and is an ambassador for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. She also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Girls on the Run
Sarah Marshall Ryan is also a mother of two boys, Marshall Thomas and John Matthew, who were born in 2018. She has shared her experience of having twins prematurely, and how they overcame various health challenges. She has also advocated for maternal health and wellness, and has partnered with March of Dimes to raise awareness and funds for their mission
Arthur Blank: A Co-Founder of The Home Depot and a Sports Mogul
Arthur Blank was born on September 27, 1942, in Flushing, New York. He graduated from Babson College with a degree in business administration, and started his career as an accountant at Arthur Young and Company. He later joined Daylin Corporation, where he became the president of Elliott’s Drug Stores/Stripe Discount Stores division. He then moved to another division, Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers, where he met Bernard Marcus, who was the CEO at the time
In 1978, Blank and Marcus were fired from Daylin after an internal power struggle. They decided to start their own business, and founded The Home Depot in 1979 with the help of investment banker Ken Langone and merchandising expert Pat Farrah. The Home Depot revolutionized the home improvement industry with its warehouse concept and low prices. It became the largest home improvement retailer in the US, and made Blank and Marcus billionaires. Blank served as the president of The Home Depot for 19 years, before becoming the CEO in 1997. He retired from the company in 2001 as co-chairman
Blank is also a prominent sports owner and philanthropist. He bought the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 from Taylor Smith, the son of the team’s founder Rankin M. Smith Sr. He has invested heavily in improving the team’s performance, facilities, and fan experience. He also founded Atlanta United FC in 2014 as an expansion team for Major League Soccer (MLS). Both teams play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which opened in 2017 as one of the most advanced and eco-friendly stadiums in the world. Blank also owns PGA Tour Superstore, a golf retail chain; Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, a luxury resort in Montana; West Creek Ranch, a working ranch in Montana; Paradise Valley Ranch, a conservation property in Montana; AMB West Community Fund; AMB West Philanthropies; The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; The National Center for Civil and Human Rights; The Giving Pledge; Emory University Board of Trustees; The Carter Center Board of Councilors; Babson College Board of Trustees; Georgia Aquarium Board of Directors; Zoo Atlanta Board of Directors; NFL Foundation Board of Directors; MLS Board of Governors; among others
The Surprising Connection: Sarah Marshall Ryan is Arthur Blank’s Niece
So how are Sarah Marshall Ryan and Arthur Blank related? The answer is that they are uncle and niece by marriage.
Sarah Marshall Ryan’s mother is Susie Marshall (née Wray), who is the sister of Stephanie Wray, Arthur Blank’s second wife. Stephanie Wray married Arthur Blank in 1995, and they had three children together: Max, Kylie, and Josh. They divorced in 2013, but remained on good terms
This means that Sarah Marshall Ryan is the aunt of Blank’s three youngest children, and Blank is the uncle of Sarah’s two sons. They are also both part of the Falcons family, as Blank is the owner and Sarah is the wife of the quarterback.
The relationship between Sarah Marshall Ryan and Arthur Blank is not widely known, but it is a testament to their close bond and mutual respect. They have both supported each other’s endeavors and causes, and have celebrated each other’s successes and milestones. They have also faced some challenges and hardships together, such as Blank’s battle with prostate cancer in 2016, and Sarah’s twins’ premature birth in 2018
Sarah Marshall Ryan and Arthur Blank are more than just relatives by marriage. They are also friends, partners, and allies in making a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
