For a punter, Jon Ryan finds himself in the oddest places and moments, from TV’s American Ninja Warrior (“The Gin-jah Nin-jah!”) to the end of a fake punt run when he lost the football and his consciousness at the same time.
Now he can add The Sports Salon to his list of sideways sojourns.
The Seahawks’ longest tenured and most amusing player will join me and KNKX-FM radio Morning Edition news host Kirsten Kendrick Sept. 12 at the World Trade Center Seattle for another episode in the popular series of intimate conversations with Seattle sports figures.
You’re invited to the happy hour.
The WTC’s fourth-floor restaurant overlooking the Seattle waterfront is one of Seattle’s hidden dining treasures, and a fitting place to host one of Seattle sports’ great discoveries — Ryan.
A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Ryan joined the Seahawks in 2008 after being cut by the Green Bay Packers and now holds most team career and single-season punting records.
He’s also the first punter in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass in a playoff game, is likely the first punter to marry a stand-up comedian (Sarah Colonna), and also likely the first punter to own a baseball team, the Portland Pickles.
Kendrick, my partner in sports commentaries on the NPR affiliate, and I will snap questions to Ryan and see whether he can handle them, then turn him over to audience members.
Please bring your curiosity and humor to query one of the Seahawks’ most colorful personalities a couple of days after the Seahawks’ regular-season opener at Green Bay.
Tickets for the event, which includes heavy appetizers, can be ordered here.
Event schedule
5 p.m: Networking, happy hour beverages and complimentary appetizers.
6 p.m.: Discussion with Ryan, Thiel and Kendrick.
6:45 p.m.: Q and A.
Brought to you by Sportspress Northwest, KNKX 88.5 FM and World Trade Center Seattle
Another cool event: Seattle Sports Commission Gridiron Preview
At 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Washington Athletic Club, you’re invited to join me and three other Seattle sports-media members for a full-throated discussion of all things Seahawks for 2017.
Two ESPN 710 radio hosts, John Clayton and Mike Salk, and Seattle Times beat writer Bob Condotta, will be on the inaugural panel sponsored by the Seattle Sports Commission. Everything that is knowable about the Seahawks season, and probably some things that are not knowable, will be dissected, discussed and disputed.
More information for the event at the WAC’s Crystal Ballroom, 1325 Sixth Ave., is available here.