How ex-NFL QB Matt Ryan, city of Philadelphia shaped Broncos OT Mike McGlinchey
Matt Ryan knew from the very beginning his cousin was special.
The retired NFL quarterback grew up in what he called “a big Irish Catholic family” that gathered often to celebrate personal milestones and holidays. Ryan’s aunt, Janet McGlinchey, had six children — including a boy born on Aug. 29, 1994, in Philadelphia. Mike McGlinchey grew up to become the Broncos’ starting right tackle.
On Sunday, with Lincoln Financial Field hosting Broncos-Eagles in Week 5, McGlinchey returns to the place and people who made his football dreams possible. Ryan is an NFL studio analyst for CBS Sports’ The NFL Today and The NFL Today .
“I remember (McGlinchey) as a baby,” said Ryan, who played in 15 NFL seasons between the Falcons and Colts, in a phone interview with The Denver Gazette. “Him growing up and becoming not only the player, but the dad and the husband and the man — I’m just so proud of everything he’s done. … He was a massive kid as a young toddler. You’re looking at him and you’re like: ‘I think this guy was put on this earth to play offensive line or defensive line in the NFL.’
“We knew right from the start.”
McGlinchey is almost nine years younger than Ryan. They grew up in neighboring towns within 30 minutes of driving distance around Philadelphia. McGlinchey told The Denver Gazette he considers the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback a valued NFL mentor.
“Matt was one of the biggest resources I ever had, whether he knew it or not,” McGlinchey said. “Indirectly, Matt helped me out in a lot of ways. He was always a shining example of how to be, how to act and be a professional. … The passion that I have for the game of football is because I’m a Philadelphian. They love it there. And I love it just as much as they do.”
The Broncos (2-2) are riding high after a dominant 28-3 home victory in Week 4 over the Bengals. Denver’s offense produced 512 total yards behind one of the better NFL offensive lines — especially on the edges.
According to Next Gen Stats, starting left tackle Garett Bolles leads all NFL offensive tackles through four games with the lowest quarterback pressure rate (4.6 %). McGlinchey ranks a close second (5.3%). They are two big reasons why Bo Nix is among the least-sacked quarterbacks in the NFL.
“It’s comforting having those two bookends on the offensive line,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said after a practice last week at Broncos Park.
McGlinchey’s rise to become one of the NFL’s best offensive tackles started at William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia. It’s where Ryan also played high school football. Jeff Humble was the head coach when McGlinchey almost never came off the field.
“I believe Michael played almost every position on offense,” Humble told The Denver Gazette. “He played quarterback for a play. He played fullback. He played guard, center and tackle. We used to swap out his number to put him in at tight end on the goal line. He was that athletic where we could just move him around to get mismatches.”
McGlinchey added: “I got to go to school with my brother and my sister. I had three or four cousins that I went to high school with that were all football players as well. My high school was a little bit of a family affair. Some of the best friends I have in the world are from there. There’s nothing quite like the purity of high school football and chasing a dream with your best friends.”
McGlinchey became a top-rated recruit who signed to play at Notre Dame. He developed into one of the nation’s top college offensive linemen as a second-team All-American selection his senior year. McGlinchey was projected as a first-round NFL draft pick, and he wanted to share the moment with friends and family back in Philadelphia.
McGlinchey opted to host a draft party just outside the city at a local spot — Giuseppe’s Pizza & Family Restaurant in Richboro, Penn. — owned by a close family friend. More than 150 people showed up.
“I had a great party with the people that affected my life and my journey in football,” McGlinchey said. “High school coaches, friends, college teammates, high school teammates, teachers that I had growing up. Aunts, uncles and cousins. … They closed the restaurant down for us. It was one of the greatest nights of my life.”
The 49ers selected McGlinchey with the No. 9 overall pick.
“I have that picture of him putting the hat on sitting at the table with tears in his eyes. Giving his brother a hug after he got drafted. It’s burned in my brain,” Humble said. “Just to be surrounded by all the people that he loved and loved him made for a really special event. At a pizza place.”
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 20-16. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)McGlinchey started his NFL career under 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who spent two previous seasons with the Falcons (2015-16) as offensive coordinator with Ryan at quarterback. McGlinchey always looked up to Ryan. Then he joined him in the NFL.
“My feelings of (Ryan) being my sports hero were validated,” McGlinchey said. “I was drafted by San Francisco and Kyle was our coach, and he coached Matt for a number of years in Atlanta. The first thing they ever said about him was: ‘Your cousin was the toughest guy I ever coached.’”
Ryan’s message to McGlinchey: “I’m just here if you need me.”
“It’s everybody’s own journey to kind of figure out their path. But if there are any questions or helping with off-the-field stuff, like finding your agent, and all of the little things that go into it that make your life easier,” Ryan said. “So, I tried to help in any way that I could. But for the most part, he was a guy that had his stuff in order. I think that’s partly going to Notre Dame. … I couldn’t give him any advice on playing offensive lineman. I have no idea.”
McGlinchey played on a 49ers team that reached Super Bowl LIV against the Chiefs. He’s now a key piece of the Broncos rebuild under coach Sean Payton. Denver made the playoffs a year ago for the first time since 2015. The Broncos now must prove they can beat elite competition, like the Eagles (4-0), to take the next step.
“I think you need players like Mike to win,” Ryan told The Denver Gazette. “You need the glue guys. You need the guys that are tone setters, are physical and are going to play through things when they’re nicked up. And (to) set the example for some of the young guys in that building for what it takes to be a true pro.”
McGlinchey expects a large group of family and friends in the crowd Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia will always be home.
“I’m really proud of where I came from,” McGlinchey said. “I’m proud of the family that I have and the passion that city breathes for the game of football. Now, at the same time, because of that passion, there are a lot of close family and friends that are rooting against me this weekend. It’s a weird thing.”
