Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly will find themselves on opposite sides of the field at least twice this season, but they’ll be sharing space in the history of the Boston College football program.
Boston College announced Tuesday that they will retire the jerseys of both players during the 2016 season. Kuechly’s jersey will be retired during the team’s October 22 game against Syracuse while Ryan will be honored when the Eagles face UConn on November 19.
“On behalf of Boston College and Eagles fans everywhere, I would like to congratulate Luke and Matt on this well-deserved honor,” Director of Athletics Brad Bates said in a statement. “Matt and Luke represent the very best of intercollegiate athletics and personify the Jesuit principle of ‘men and women for others.’ Both enjoyed brilliant collegiate careers and have gone on to enjoy success in the NFL. Beyond the gridiron you would be hard-pressed to find two gentlemen who conduct themselves with more integrity, discipline, generosity and kindness. They make all of us very proud.”
Ryan, who is B.C.'s highest draft pick in any sport, and Kuechly, who won the Dick Butkus and Bronko Nagurski Awards while at the school, join Doug Flutie, Mike Ruth, Art Donovan, Bill Flynn, Gene Goodreault, Mike Holovak, Lou Montgomery, Charles O’Rourke, Tony Thurman and Louis Urban as players who have had either their numbers or jerseys retired by the school.
