Ryan Leaf’s life has been characterized by broken dreams, crushed ambitions, and the ravages of addiction, but today for the first time in years, the former number 2 overall NFL draft pick received some good news:
Leaf was released from prison this morning after serving over two years of five-year sentence.
In 2012, Leaf was arrested for stealing prescription drugs. Just three days later, he was busted again for a similar crime.
The pair of felony charges was enough to have Leaf incarcerated, and sources say the ex-QB spent his time behind bars devoting himself to a full recovery.
A former standout at Washington State University, Leaf was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1998 (just one pick behind a young man named Peyton Manning).
Leaf’s off-field antics profoundly affected his performance, and he was drummed out of the league by 2001.
Naturally, it’s too late for 38-year-old Leaf to get back on the field, but he may still have a career in football.
Leaf worked briefly as a quarterback coach at West Texas A&M before being fired for allegedly asking a player for a pain pill. Insiders say he hopes to get into coaching on some level.
Additionally, Leaf has worked as a football blogger for the Washington State website, and he’s even written a memoir about his tumultuous life.
Sounds like the former phenom has the tools necessary to help him adapt to life post-NFL and post-addiction. We wish him the best of luck.