Falcons owner Arthur Blank fielded questions for the first time since the organization traded franchise quarterback Matt Ryan to the Colts earlier this week.
Speaking to reporters at the NFL owners meeting Tuesday, Blank expressed sadness at dealing the 36-year-old Ryan after 14 accomplished seasons in Atlanta.
“From a personal standpoint, it was sad,” Blank said, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was a very difficult thing. I’ve known Matt, it seems like since he was a child. I remember having dinner with him and half a dozen of our coaches and evaluators in Boston.