Falcons' Ryan: 'Don't feel sorry for us, we don't feel sorry for ourselves'

Many are curious to see how the Atlanta Falcons respond after letting the Lombardi Trophy slip through their fingers.

For months, players, coaches, and staff have had to endure questions and "28-3" jokes. But they don't want your pity.

"Yes, we lost. We could have been champions. But we're not," quarterback Matt Ryan wrote in The Players' Tribune.

"But don't feel sorry for us, because we don't feel sorry for ourselves." Ryan continued. "We're fine ... really, we are."

During the offseason, Ryan invited teammates to Miami for a group session. In total, 45 players showed up. Some talked about the Super Bowl loss while others listened.

Ryan came away from the experience optimistic about the upcoming season.

"When we started throwing the ball around I think we realized pretty quickly that, 'Hey, we're still pretty damn good at this," Ryan wrote. "After weeks and weeks of hearing people talk about how we had lost, how we were this or that - all these negative things - I think it was important for us to just get back to playing football."

The Falcons will begin trying to erase any ugly memories with their season opener Sunday against the Chicago Bears.