Matt Ryan and more: Locals from Philadelphia area to root for in Super Bowl LI
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- In Philadelphia, Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan may be a favorite to root for this Sunday because of his local connections, but he's not the only NFL player with ties to the Delaware Valley playing in Super Bowl LI.
Ryan, the NFL MVP, is a native of Exton, Chester County and a graduate of William Penn Charter High School.
"The opportunity came up for me to go to Penn Charter and my parents felt like it was a really good opportunity. It ended up working out really well. I enjoyed my time there," Ryan told reporters during Super Bowl Week.
Meanwhile, his fellow Atlanta QB Matt Schaub went to high school in Chester County. He attended West Chester East High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball.
Linebacker Paul Worrilow was a student at Saint Mary Magdalen School in Talleyville, Delaware before playing linebacker, running back and offensive guard at Concord High School in Wilmington.
Saint Mary Magdalen held a pep rally for Worrilow on Friday.
Worrilow sent a message back to the students from Houston, the site of the Super Bowl. "Thank you guys for your support and the pep rally and wearing your red and black," Worrilow said.
The Delaware native went on to be a four-year starter at linebacker for the University of Delaware.
The Hun School community is cheering on 2009 graduate and Falcons wide receiver Nick Williams. The Princeton, New Jersey school wished Williams good luck on social media.
Practice squad member Jhurell Pressley is a Newark, Delaware native. The Red Lion Christian Academy High School graduate posted photos of him and his teammates celebrating their NFC Championship victory which got them to the Super Bowl.
The Delaware Valley is also represented on Atlanta's sidelines.
Keith Armstrong, the special teams coach, graduated from Conwell-Egan High School in Fairless Hills, Bucks County and attended Temple University. At Egan, Armstrong played for Bill Travers, the father of ABC News reporter Karen Travers.
Falcons assistant offensive line coach Keith Carter is a Downingtown, Chester County native.
Not to be outdone, the New England Patriots bring some local connections of their own.
Duron Harmon, Patriots safety, grew up in Magnolia, Delaware and went to Caesar Rodney High School.
Patriots full back James Develin attended Boyertown Area Senior High School in Gilbertsville, Montgomery County where he lettered in football and lacrosse.
New England's cornerback, Logan Ryan, was born in Berlin, Camden County and was a student at Eastern High School in Voorhees.
Ryan stayed in New Jersey for college, attending Rutgers University in New Brunswick.
In the far reaches of the 6abc viewing area, Chris Hogan, Patriots wide receiver, played four seasons of lacrosse at Penn State University and tight end Matt Lengel attended Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, Pa.
As for the New England coaches, assistant special teams coach Ray Ventrone played football for Villanova University, while defensive line coach Brendan Daly coached the Wildcats.
Joe Judge, the Patriots' special teams coach, was born in Philadelphia. He played quarterback and strong safety during a four-year high school career at Landsdale Catholic High School.
So while we wait for the Philadelphia Eagles to make it to the Super Bowl, at least, for now, we can take some pride in these players and coaches for representing the Delaware Valley on the NFL's biggest night.
