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Matt Ryan has healthy twin boys, but said it was a 'wild ride' during wife's pregnancy

Complication during the pregnancy caused Matt Ryan's wife to be hospitalized for six weeks.
Matt and Sarah Ryan welcome little Marshall and Johnny Ryan!

Matt Ryan was in a morning meeting the week leading up to the Atlanta Falcons' playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Then, he got a call.

His wife, Sarah, was several months pregnant with twins and was at a routine checkup. But things weren't looking like they should, according to Ryan.

Ryan left Flowery Branch and rushed to the hospital. He missed practice that day, and while no one knew for sure why, there was concern about Sarah.

"At that time I felt like it was a no brainer. Obviously football is extremely important, but there’s nothing more important than family," Ryan said at a charity golf event at TPC Sugarloaf for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

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Sarah was stabilized, but she remained at the hospital for six weeks until the couple's sons, Marshall and John, were born. Marshall is Sarah's maiden name, and John is Sarah's father's name.

The couple announced to the world on Sunday that they were finally welcoming their baby boys home after spending time in the neonatal intensive care unit at Northside Hospital. They are both healthy, and Ryan said Sarah is doing well.

"I think anytime you’re having a child, it’s scary and exciting. It’s all of those things at the same time. Obviously with twins you’re at a high risk for difficulties or complications throughout pregnancy," Ryan said. "We’re just so lucky and fortunate to have two beautiful boys that are fighters."

Ryan reflected back to the week of the Eagles game, which the Falcons lost 15-10. He said it was a difficult week for him, but said it was no different from anyone else having to go through personal issues while at work.

Everything worked out for the better. Now, Ryan's just adjusting to being a dad.

"Just learning on the go, that’s for sure," Ryan said. "I think it puts everything into perspective, which is really, really good. I think it just kind of changes your normal routine."

That routine should get interesting as Ryan and the Falcons return to Flowery Branch for offseason training programs next Monday. While Ryan leads the team at work, he'll be on the frontline of another battle at home, just getting the boys to eat and sleep.

"It’s been a wild ride for us, but well worth it."

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