(WWL/WGR 550) - It seems nowhere is safe from trolling for former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, not even the broadcast booth with a CBS logo on his chest.
That became clear during halftime of his first-ever broadcast in Minnesota, as he and partners in the booth, Tiki Barber and Andrew Catalon, broke down the first half of the Vikings-Buccaneers game, which Tampa Bay went on to win, 20-17.
Catalon was throwing a question to Ryan, but couldn't help but sneak in a subtle jab.
"We were just chomping some burgers at halftime saying, this game feels like it should be 28-3 in favor of Minnesota. Why is it still 10-10?," Catalon asked of Ryan.
Ryan shot a pained glance off-camera but maintained his composure before turning back to Catalon and calmly explaining the role of turnovers in the result. It was clear, though, the jab didn't go unnoticed.
The reference, of course, was to the Falcons' epic collapse to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. With Ryan's team leading 28-3 late in the third quarter, Atlanta, ultimately, blew its lead and lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots in overtime, 34-28.
It was, arguably, the greatest comeback - or greatest choke, depending who you ask - in NFL history.
The former MVP changed teams ahead of the 2022 season for an ill-fated run with the Indianapolis Colts that ended in his benching. He joined the broadcast booth for this season, though he hasn't yet officially retired from the NFL.
Ryan can change teams, he can retire from the NFL, he can even put on a CBS headset. But 28-3 can find him anywhere.