Logan Ryan
NEW YORK GIANTS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | Rutgers | 9 |
Demonstrates Excellence on The Field
Logan Ryan is a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the elite defensive backs in the NFL. He began his NFL career by being honored as a member of the 2013 NFL All-Rookie Team. His career totals included 579 tackles (430 solo), 18 interceptions, including one he returned 79 yards for a touchdown, 12.0 sacks, 87 passes defensed, 11 forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, plus eight special teams tackles (all in 2014).
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
Logan and his wife Ashley, an animal welfare worker and certified dog trainer, created the Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation (RARF) to better the lives of homeless animals nationwide in 2017. Their non-profit provides financial grants to organizations that shelter animals in need, while the couple uses their platform to raise awareness and visibility for the cause of animal welfare. Before starting the foundation, Logan began their signature program, "Ryan's Monthly Rescue," where he would post selfies with an animal having a hard time finding a home. This effort alone has led to the adoption of 40 dogs.
Logan also started the "Defending Passes, Defending Animals" campaign, where he has personally pledged $123 for every tackle and $2,300 for each interception or forced fumble. He has invited fans to join him on the journey. In the past two years, this effort has raised $40,000.
The Ryan's have also donated over $20,000 to the Pet Community Center in Nashville to support Free Vaccine & Spay Neuter Clinics, and $15,000 to Agape Animal Rescue in Nashville to support a new foster home training program to better equip foster families on handling the dogs. They donated $26,000 to Nashville Humane to support community programs, as well as $15,000 to the Somerville Foundation for Animals in support of free introductory dog training clinics to the public. In 2019, 2020, and 20201, the Ryan's sponsored the New England Federation of Humane Societies conference. Additionally, over $21,000 was granted to support Professional Development opportunities for staff and volunteers of shelters and rescues nationwide. Instead of receiving wedding gifts, Ashley and Logan asked their guests to donate to the local animal shelter "Help Animal Welfare in St. Lucia."
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
As RARF continues to expand its programming in 2021, the "Ryan's Monthly Rescue" effort was expanded nationwide with other professionals, volunteers, and foster parents. In just ten months, over 150 animals have been prompted for adoption through Team RARF in 2021. They are also working with CARE to support The Neighborhood Center in Camden, NJ, by purchasing pallets of pet food to be given away at their November Holiday Free Market – and establishing ways to provide consistent pet resources in the Camden area.
As one of the few animal-focused foundations with a black founder, The Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation is seeking to do its part to offer opportunities for the animal welfare industry to become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. "Investing in a Diverse Future" is RARF's new initiative which focuses on providing spotlights, resources, and funding that will increase the representation of black, brown, indigenous, and people of color within the industry – and recently have begun highlighting and providing support to minority-owned companies. As someone who wanted to make a tangible impact on social justice, Logan and his father, Lester Ryan, who has been with the Camden, New Jersey police force for 25 years, started Ryan Alternative Solutions Training (RAST) to train police officers in de-escalation and minimal force techniques. "My dad spent 25+ years in law enforcement and was an instructor at the police academy his entire career and beyond," said Logan. "He is uniquely qualified to provide training in de-escalation and minimal use of force techniques. We founded this company together in hopes of using his expertise and my platform to better equip officers with the tools they need to achieve both maximum citizen and officer safety. As a black man and son of a black police officer, I hope to be part of the solution." Logan and Lester have been working to provide this training to more and more law enforcement agencies. Logan also serves as a member of the Giants' Newark "Team of Teams" social justice outreach group focused on supporting Covenant House in Newark, NJ, which provides housing and supportive services to youth facing homelessness while putting them on a path to independence. This past year, Logan had the idea of creating a scholarship fund that could be utilized by the youth of Covenant House, which he made a financial contribution to start, and got his teammates to join, along with the NFL Foundation.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Logan and his wife, Ashley, are proud and loving parents who model a lifestyle of giving back to their daughter, Avery, and son, Otto. They have made sure to involve their kids in RARF's work. Avery leads the charge when it comes to fostering kittens and has cared for nearly 20 kittens on their way to finding a forever home. Logan was voted to serve as Giants team captain by his teammates for the 2021 season to recognize his leadership and performance. He was also honored with the 2020 George Young "Good Guy" Award from the Giants chapter of the Professional Football Writers of America for his qualities and outstanding cooperation in working with the beat reporters who cover the team. He received 14 of 16 first-place votes in his first year with the Giants. He was also the Giants' nominee for the 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. When Logan left Rutgers to enter the NFL Draft after his redshirt junior season in 2012, he promised his parents that he would return to school after his rookie year and earn his degree. He kept his promise by earning a bachelor's degree in Labor Relations with a 3.5 GPA. Logan was a four-time member of the Big East all-academic football team at Rutgers between 2009 and 2013.
In June 2017, Logan surprised his big brother, Jordan, by paying off his student loans for his 29th birthday. Logan cut a check for $82,000 to the American Education Services to cover Jordan's loans from earning his engineering degree from Drexel University. During the 2017 and 2018 off-seasons, Logan and N.Y. Giants cornerback Eli Apple funded and hosted their #ThursdayNightLights Football Camp at Eastern High School in Voorhees, N.J., where they both attended. The free event for kids was filled with football, celebrity guests, and music.
