Rick Bryan

Rick Don Bryan (March 20, 1962 – July 25, 2009) was an American college and professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. Bryan played college football for the University of Oklahoma, and received All-American honors. He was selected in the first round of the 1984 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.

Early years

Bryan was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Coweta High School in Coweta, Oklahoma where he earned All-State honors in 1980. He began playing linebacker in high school but was moved to defensive tackle by one of his coaches, Ben Wasson. Bryan was named to the Tulsa World's All-century High school football team in 1999.

College career

Bryan was a consensus All-American at the University of Oklahoma in 1982 and 1983. He was Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year in 1982 and Academic All-Conference from 1981 to 1983. He owns the school record for career tackles by a defensive lineman (365), ranking him ahead of Kevin Murphy and Lee Roy Selmon. He is OU’s eighth leading career tackler regardless of position. “No one outworked him,” said OU coach Barry Switzer.