NFL fans react as Matt Ryan gets inducted into Falcons' Ring of Honor: "Greatest player in Atlanta history"

Matt Ryan was inducted into the Atlanta Falcons' Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football. The former MVP, who made the NFC South team a perennial contender during his time in Georgia and led them to one Super Bowl appearance, was formally honored for his service.

He gave a speech calling the Falcons fans his extended family and thanked them for supporting him throughout his career. Based on social media reactions, it is safe to say that the love is reciprocated.

Taking to X/Twitter, Atlanta supporters hailed the quarterback as one of the greatest players in franchise history, if not the best.

Here are some reactions from fans on X:

The comments were nearly unanimous in celebrating Matt Ryan's legacy for the Falcons. Many invoked his nickname Matty Ice for the impact he had in Atlanta.

"Deservedly so... Love Matty Ice," one fan said.

"Cant even lie, I miss you Matty Ice," another said.

"Always a Falcon, forever a legend!" a fan added.

Does Matt Ryan belong in the Hall of Fame after Atlanta Falcons' Ring of Honor ceremony?

Matt Ryan getting inducted into the Falcons' Ring of Honor was richly deserved considering all the franchise records he owns, including passing yards and passing touchdowns. Whether that is enough for him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, though, is a matter of debate.

Those who speak out against it will say that he has never won the Super Bowl, despite an appearance where the New England Patriots mounted arguably the greatest title game comeback in NFL history. Others in favor will point out that one match does not define a player and that his records, including winning the MVP award, show his success as a player.

Matt Ryan has 62,792 passing yards in 234 games, which is the seventh all-time. That equates to 268.3 passing yards per game, which is the fourth-highest among the top 10, with just Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Matthew Stafford doing better. The quarterback also ranks fifth all-time in terms of completion and ninth overall for passing touchdowns.

If he had won the Super Bowl, it would have burnished Matt Ryan's chances of getting into Canton. Someone like Matthew Stafford can stake their claim based on that, and he has more yards per game than the former Atlanta quarterback. But the Rams quarterback has never been recognized as the league's best player at any time.

Eli Manning is in the conversation too despite having fewer passing yards than Ryan having played a similar number of games, never being an MVP but having two title wins. It might come down to whether the voters think that an MVP award is equal, more, or less than a championship ring.