Ryan Breedlove

Meriden, CT

Ryan Breedlove is a Unified Sports® athlete from Meriden who is going to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games to represent Connecticut as a member of the Unified softball team. Ryan is 43 years old and works for JGR Landscaping. He’s been involved in Special Olympics since he was eight years old and participated in several different towns. He started out playing for Tri-Town and has played on the Cheshire, Glastonbury, Middletown, New London, and North Haven teams. In addition to softball, Ryan has participated in basketball, flag football, soccer, and volleyball. He has also represented Connecticut as a member of the delegation for the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey. 

“Special Olympics has changed my life as it has allowed me to meet many different people in the 35 years I have been involved,” says Ryan. 

He is most proud of his ability to work at a job he loves and having the ability to make new friends and be able to do things with them. He loves being a part of the New London Wildcats!

Ryan graduated from Orville H. Platt High School in Meriden in 2002 and has been living independently since he was in his 20’s and has his driver’s license. 

Ryan loves to listen to music, fish, travel to amusement parks, rollerskate, and visit car shows. He also loves helping people, including cutting his mom’s lawn and helping his uncle and cousins with their tree cutting business. 

Ryan is very excited to go to the 2026 USA Games. “It means a lot to me and I look forward to meeting friends from different states, and most of all being able to be with my Wildcats team and Coach Pete,” says Ryan. To prepare, Ryan is going to every practice with his team and getting into shape.