Ryan Kees
Encyclopedia
Ryan Ed Kees is an American football
defensive end
who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Detroit Lions
as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football
at St. Cloud State.
Kees has also played for the California Redwoods and Arizona Cardinals
.
in Eagan, Minnesota
where he played defensive end
. As a high school student Ryan donated his time to E.A.A. football by refereeing games for 3rd-6th graders.
at the St. Cloud University. Several accolades Kees has received are DII First Team All American (2008), 2 Time NCC All-Conference, 1 Time NSIC All-Conference, and St. Cloud State Male athlete of the year ('09)
, Kees signed with the Detroit Lions
as an undrafted free agent. He was waived, but not before recording an important tackle in preseason. Ryan tackled a scrambling John Parker Wilson
for the Atlanta Falcons
to force a punt that was the start of a game winning drive for the Detroit Lions
.
Kees was re-signed by the Lions on May 15, 2009, but waived on August 31, 2009.
on January 4, 2010. He was re-signed to a future contract on January 18, 2010, but released on July 15, 2010.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at St. Cloud State.
Kees has also played for the California Redwoods and Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Early years
Ryan learned of his talents as a football player while playing in E.A.A. (Eagan Athletic Association) and his skills excelled while playing for Eagan High SchoolEagan High School
Eagan High School is a public high school in east-central Eagan, Minnesota. The school opened in fall of 1989 for ninth grade students and for grades ten through twelve the following year. It is particularly noted for its fine arts programs and use of technology...
in Eagan, Minnesota
Eagan, Minnesota
Eagan is a city south of Saint Paul in Dakota County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies on the south bank of the Minnesota River, upstream from the confluence with the Mississippi River. Eagan and nearby suburbs form the southern portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the fifteenth largest...
where he played defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
. As a high school student Ryan donated his time to E.A.A. football by refereeing games for 3rd-6th graders.
College career
Kees played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the St. Cloud University. Several accolades Kees has received are DII First Team All American (2008), 2 Time NCC All-Conference, 1 Time NSIC All-Conference, and St. Cloud State Male athlete of the year ('09)
Detroit Lions
After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, Kees signed with the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
as an undrafted free agent. He was waived, but not before recording an important tackle in preseason. Ryan tackled a scrambling John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
for the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
to force a punt that was the start of a game winning drive for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
.
Kees was re-signed by the Lions on May 15, 2009, but waived on August 31, 2009.
California Redwoods
Kees was signed by the California Redwoods of the United Football League September 28, 2009, but was released on October 13.Arizona Cardinals
Kees was signed to the practice squad of the Arizona CardinalsArizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on January 4, 2010. He was re-signed to a future contract on January 18, 2010, but released on July 15, 2010.