Ex-Wolverine Ryan wins Tillman award at Shrine game

Former Michigan linebacker Jake Ryan is at the East-West Shrine Game trying to impress NFL personnel with his on-field play.

But his off-field approach was noticed as well, as he picked up the Pat Tillman Award for his character. According to a news release, the award is "presented to the player who best exemplifies intelligence, sportsmanship and service."

The award was presented to Ryan at a banquet Friday night, before today's Shrine game at Tropicana Field (4 p.m., NFL Network).

Ryan's character emerged over the past week as the players visited Shriners Hospitals for Children-Tampa. He interacted with "patients and their siblings on the basketball court, pushed them on swings, helped get their faces painted and danced."

"I am truly humbled to receive this award," Ryan said in the release. "What makes it more special is the person for whom it is named. Pat Tillman is an American hero who turned down millions of dollars to protect our country. This award honors Pat's courage, passion for the game, and his willingness to help others. It is an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence."

Current Michigan defensive line coach Greg Mattison, who was Ryan's defensive coordinator the past four years and his position coach for parts of that, spoke of his pride in Ryan.

"This award is a tremendous honor and Jake is very deserving of this recognition," Mattison said in a news release. "His character this week leading up to the East-West Shrine Game is the same character he exemplified his entire career at the University of Michigan, and that is why we are confident he will have tremendous success at the next level."

Ryan, named a Butkus Award finalist and a prolific linebacker at Michigan, was voted U-M's MVP for the 2014 season and finished his career with 267 tackles (45½ for a loss) , 9½ sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, seven pass breakups and one interception. His seven forced fumbles was second all-time at Michigan.

Contact Mark Snyder at msnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder.