Ryan is the brother of Steve Sanders, one of two of the "flying monkey children" Steve refers to, the other being their brother Austin Sanders. Ryan appeared to be more reasonable and mature than Austin, especially in the later years. Ryan and Austin first came to stay with Steve on New Year's Eve in 1995, immediately causing trouble by toilet papering the house and sneaking into the Peach Pit After Dark. However, Steve found them at the club and had them thrown out. They then put shaving cream all over Steve's car.