Jon Ryan posing with the Super Bowl after the Seattle Seahawks won in 2014. (Jon Ryan/Twitter)

By Jessie Anton

Ryan signs with Riders

Jon Ryan signs with the Saskatchewan Roughriders

May 14, 2019 | 11:25 AM

Jon Ryan is returning to the Queen City to play for his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The CFL team confirmed Tuesday that it had signed the punter.

On Monday evening, Ryan tweeted a link to Ditty’s song titled “Coming Home.”

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Ryan’s mom, Barb, couldn’t be happier that she can now tell the world after being “sworn to secrecy” when she found out a few days ago.

Though Ryan’s homebase will remain in Los Angeles, Barb said he’ll be in Regina during the season.

She said the whole family is ready for the Sunday suppers and get-togethers.

“It might drive him nuts because I have 12 grandchildren, but he can suck it up — it’s going to be fun,” Barb said with a chuckle. “All my grandchildren are also very active in sports now that they’re getting a little older, and they’d love him to come to games and watch them play.”

Barb said Ryan grew up following the Green and White, so to be on the team is a dream come true.

“He used to ask for season tickets every year for his birthday until he was seven years old,” she remembered. “He was such a die-hard fan, even as a little, little kid.”

The Sheldon-Williams Collegiate product punted for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for two seasons, before making the jump south of the border into the NFL.

Ryan spent two seasons with the Green Bay Packers. After that, he signed with Seattle, where he spent the next decade. He went on to win a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2014.

Ryan was released in August 2018 and signed with the Buffalo Bills but was released shortly after.

According to the CFL transactions page, the Roughriders have released Josh Bartel to make room for Ryan. Bartel was a member of the Riders for four seasons.