Andrew Ryland | |
Birth Date: | 8 March 1981 |
Height: | 6 ft 3 in |
Weight: | 240 lb |
School: | State College High School |
University: | Pennsylvania State University |
Position: | Flanker |
Repyears1: | 2005 |
Repcaps1: | 4 |
Reppoints1: | 0 |
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]