Ryan Matthew Lilja (born October 15, 1981 in Kansas City, Missouri) is an American football guard for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Kansas State.

[edit] Early years

Ryan Lilja attended Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and was a student and a letterman in football and golf. In football, he was a three-year starter.

[edit] College career

He was a two-year starter at Coffeyville Community College before he transferred to Kansas State University, where he was a two-year player who started 14 of 23 career games.

[edit] Professional career

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Lilja as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2004 season, and coach Dick Vermeil put him on the practice squad^{[citation needed]}. He was released later on, and the Indianapolis Colts soon afterward signed Lilja where he excelled in protecting star quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Colts re-signed Lilja on February 19, 2008, to a five-year deal worth $20 million.

[edit] External links

• Indianapolis Colts bio

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