Matt Ryan sends emotional farewell message in final CBS NFL broadcast before returning to Atlanta Falcons in new role

MATT RYAN sent an emotional farewell message in his final CBS NFL broadcast.

Ryan, 40, joined the broadcaster in 2023 after his release from the Indianapolis Colts and subsequent retirement.

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Matt Ryan made a classy farewell speech as he prepares to leave CBSCredit: CBS

Ryan is heading back to the Atlanta Falcons as President of FootballCredit: Getty

But after three seasons as a pundit, he is returning to the Atlanta Falcons.

Ryan, who played for the Falcons from 2008 to 2021, is taking up the role of President of Football.

And the 2016 MVP signed off with class from his TV duties.

Ryan said on CBS, “Let me speak from the heart for a minute.

“It’s always hard when you retire as a player and it’s over – there’s a finality to it.

“You have to move on and there’s this empty void in your life, that space of team-mates, the locker room and that’s difficult to deal with.

“When I left I was so lucky to be given the opportunity by CBS to become a part of this team.

“My first year was with the crew on the road calling games.

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“When you’re out on the road calling games, you become a team and a group, a sort of travelling circus and I’m thankful to that crew.

“And then the last two years, you guys have become my team and it’s helped me a lot because it’s not easy.

“Former players and coaches, we can all relate to that – but you guys have made it better for me and realised there is life after.

“And now to be able to get back into that environment in the organization that I spent so much time with, it was one of one.

“I’m excited about that but I love you guys, I appreciate it.

“I love everybody who is back here, everyone who is part of it behind [the camera] that no one can see.

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“This is the best group that you could be a part of.

“I think we do it better than anyone else on air and I am so appreciative of my time.”

At the end of his touching monologue, his fellow NFL pundits and the backstage crew burst into spontaneous applause.

Dad-of-three Ryan was then asked what his wife’s reaction to his new role back at the Falcons was.

He added, “She’s the boss, JB. You know Sarah is the boss.

“She is the real president, I’m the vice-president.”