Andrew Ryland
| Date of birth | March 8, 1981 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 240 lb (109 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| School | State College High School | ||||||||||||||||
| University | Pennsylvania State University | ||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||
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Andrew Ryland (born March 8, 1981) is an American former international rugby union player.
Raised in State College, Pennsylvania, Ryland grew up one of seven siblings, four of whom were adopted amongst the numerous foster kids that his family took in over the years.[1] He was born with congenital defects in his right foot which left him with toes that do not touch the ground, for which he had to start wearing orthotics.[2]
Ryland, a three-year football letterman at State College High School, was a walk-on Penn State linebacker, later awarded a grant by coach Joe Paterno.[3] His father Terry coached the Penn State rugby team and he earned All-American honours playing under him in 2004. He was a flanker on the U.S. national team in 2005, gaining four caps.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Lion secured by family ties". The York Dispatch. November 20, 2003.
- ^ "Ryland perseveres despite deformity". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. November 14, 2003.
- ^ "Love of the game". Centre Daily Times. September 6, 2003.
- ^ "Eagles squad named for Superpowers Cup". ESPN.com. May 18, 2005.
External links
[edit]- Andrew Ryland at ESPNscrum
- 1981 births
- Living people
- American rugby union players
- United States international rugby union players
- Rugby union number eights
- Rugby union flankers
- Rugby union players from Pennsylvania
- Players of American football from Pennsylvania
- Sportspeople from Centre County, Pennsylvania
- People from State College, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Nittany Lions football players
- State College Area High School alumni
- American football linebackers
- Footballers who switched code