Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks on during the second quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Ryan's new Hall of Fame ball is haunting reminder of Super Bowl collapse vs. Patriots

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/15/22

It's been five years, seven months and 10 days since Super Bowl LI . Yet still, Matt Ryan can't seem to escape the nightmarish reminders of how the championship game transpired that night.

New to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

This past weekend, @Colts QB @M_Ryan02 became only the eighth QB in NFL history to reach 60,000 career passing yards.

The ball with which he passed this milestone is now in display in Canton. pic.twitter.com/gZmhdCLk68
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) September 14, 2022

Matt Ryan's Hall of Fame ball unbelievably says 283 - that number will hunt him for the rest of his life. pic.twitter.com/OdtwS10fIs
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 15, 2022

Then with the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan's team of course cruised to a 28-3 advantage over Tom Brady's favored New England Patriots by late in the third quarter. A late touchdown in the third, a 19-0 Patriots domination in the fourth and a rare James White rushing touchdown in overtime later and the Pats had completed arguably the most epic comeback in Super Bowl history, while Ryan and company were left stunned.

Ryan -- who won his only MVP award that season -- finished the title game 17-for-23 with 284 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, but was sacked five times for a whopping 44 yards. He also lost a key fumble on one of those sacks, which was forced by Dont'a Hightower.

Now 37 years old, "Matty Ice" is in his 15th NFL season, and first with the Indianapolis Colts. Ryan was traded to the Colts in March and enters Week 2 in eighth place on the all-time passing list at 60,087 yards.

Hall-of-Famer Dan Marino is in seventh place with 61,361 passing yards.

More must-reads: