In addition to learning under the guidance of Eason, who served from the inaugural 1961 season, Ryan also learned from original Head Athletic Trainer Fred Zamberletti and Head Coach Bud Grant. Zamberletti received a Hall of Fame Award of Excellence in 2022, the first year of the program, and Grant was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
"Fred had the respect of everybody in the organization, and you gathered that immediately," Ryan recalled. "You could tell he was Bud's right-hand man at the time, and Bud really listened to Fred and took advice. I'm sure he also shared some advice with Fred. But to have worked with Fred for all those years and to come into being honored in the same Hall of Fame is very special to me.
"He was my friend and mentor, and the main reason Bud promoted a 20-year-old kid into the Head Equipment Manager position," Ryan said. "I'm very proud to join him with this honor."
And Ryan's preparation and dedication to his role earned the respect of Grant, who made sure to visit with Ryan regularly.
"Bud was actually a big cheerleader in later years. He liked having the connection that somebody in the building had worked for him and was part of his era, although I started out as a young guy, and he made sure I knew that, that I wasn't one of the old timers," Ryan recalled. "He did acknowledge years down the road that I kind of became an old timer. I was proud for him to tell me that."