NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Yale Athletics mourns the passing of former athletic director, Frank Ryan. Ryan served as Yale's Director of Athletics from 1977 to 1987.
 
Following his tenure in Athletics, Ryan took on a larger role with the university as an associate vice president for institutional planning.
 
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he was drafted in the fifth round and the 55^th overall pick in the 1958 National Football League (NFL) draft to the Los Angeles Rams. Following a four-year stint in LA, Ryan moved onto the Cleveland Browns, a place he stayed for the next seven years.
 
In Cleveland, Ryan won the 1964 NFL Championship and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, a feat he achieved in three straight seasons (1964-1966). His 1964 season was one of the most memorable. After winning the 1964 title, he was also the NFL's passing touchdowns leader. Ryan finished his career in Washington.
 
During his 13-year playing career, Ryan passed for 16,042 yards and 149 TDs while going 57-27-3 as a starter.
Ryan is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan, a former sports columnist for The Washington Post; four sons, Frank Jr., Michael, Stuart and Heberden; a sister, Patricia Ryan; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.