Jets' Ryan Issues Statement Via Tattoo

Update, January 2013: It's not often that Only A Game feels compelled to make note of not one, but TWO tattoos on an NFL coach's body. But Rex Ryan of the New York Jets has an unusual gift for attracting attention. In 2011, his then-new leg tattoo (shown in the above photo) made headlines. Now Ryan is getting even more ink for his ink after revealing his latest design, which depicts his wife wearing nothing but a Mark Sanchez jersey. Check out Ryan's surprising new tattoo. 

(The following article first appeared in August 2011.)

Rex Ryan makes a lot of statements, but his latest doesn't involve his mouth.

The outspoken New York Jets head coach has a new tattoo (shown above), which covers one side of his right calf. The image is a swirling, curling, tribal-style tattoo. Ryan says it includes depictions of a shark tooth, mountains, and wave. He got the body art in Hawaii while vacationing earlier this summer.

At a press conference today, Ryan revealed the tattoo's meaning: Believe in yourself.

When the 48-year-old was asked if the ink was an indication of a mid-life crisis, he said he prefers the term "mid-life hieroglyphics."

In May, Bill Littlefield spoke with Rex Ryan about his life and his career. The conversation covered Ryan's family tree of football coaches (his father, Buddy, was a long-time NFL coach and his twin brother, Rob, is the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys); Ryan's recent lap band surgery; the issue of concussions  in football; and Ryan's friendly feud with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Hear the interview with Rex Ryan and read Bill's notes on Ryan's book Play Like You Mean It.