Boston College to Retire Matt Ryan, Luke Kuechly Jerseys

Photo via AP

Who would’ve thought the first No. 12 retired in Boston would belong to an Atlanta quarterback?

Boston College announced Tuesday it will retire the jerseys of alumni Matt Ryan, quarterback for the Falcons, and Luke Kuechly, linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, in two separate pregame ceremonies this season.

Kuechly’s No. 40 jersey will be retired before the Eagles take on Syracuse on October 22, while Ryan’s No. 12 will be taken out of circulation ahead of BC’s November 19 matchup against Connecticut.

“Boston College is an amazing place,” Ryan said in a statement. “I am very fortunate to have had so many great memories during my college years at BC. I continue to be so fortunate with the retirement of my jersey and I am humbled that it will hang in Alumni Stadium with BC legends Doug Flutie, Mike Ruth and now Luke Kuechly.”

Ryan’s time in the Heights culminated in a standout 2007 senior season, leading the Eagles to their first-ever appearance in the ACC Championship game and the school’s best record since 1940. The same year, he set the BC record for season-season passing yards, completing 388-of-654 passes for 4,507 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Kuechly became the most decorated defensive player in BC football history in 2012 upon winning nearly every postseason award. He left with a school-record 532 tackles.

“It’s a tremendous honor to have my jersey retired,” Kuechly said. “It is very important to me because of the love I have for Boston College and the memories I created not only on the field but throughout all of campus.”

BC has previous retired the jerseys of Doug Flutie, Mike Ruth, Art Donovan, Bill Flynn, Gene Goodreault, Mike Holovak, Lou Montgomery, Charles O’Rourke, Tony Thurman, and Louis Urban.