Ryan Leaf

Categories: Sports | Football | NFL Players | Athletes
    • Full name: Ryan David Leaf
    • Born: May 15, 1976
    • Birthplace: Great Falls, MT
    • College: Washington State
    • 1998 NFL Draft: Selected second overall by the Chargers
    • Played just four seasons in the NFL
    • TD to interception ratio: 14/36
    • Career passer rating: 50.0
    • Former Texas A&M quarterback coach

  • Ryan Leaf is a former professional quarterback. He was selected second overall in the 1998 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers but never lived up to hype that went with being chosen that high in the draft.

    A warrant for his arrest was issued on May 20, 2009, in Texas, after Leaf failed to turn himself into police for nine charges, including burglary and use of prescription painkillers.http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/11/1s11leaf221937-leaf-now-wanted-individual-texas/ He was arrested in Washington on June 17, 2009, as he attempted to enter the United States from Canada, released on bail and is scheduled to surrender to police in Texas on June 19, 2009.http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4270547

  • Great Expectations

    After a high school career at C.M. Russell High School in his hometown of Great Falls, Montana, where he led them to a state championship, he attended Washington State University. In his senior season of 1997, he led the Cougars to their first Rose Bowl appearances in 67 years. He also finished third year in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy, and pro scouts were mesmerized by his arm strength.

  • Colts Dilemma

    As the 1998 NFL Draft approached, draft experts and analysts were split on whether or not the Indianapolis Colts, possessing the number one draft choice, should select Leaf or Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning. In the end, Manning was selected first, and Leaf wound up be drafted second overall by the San Diego Chargers, who were also in need of a 'franchise quarterback'. In fact, the Chargers made a trade with Arizona to move up from the 3rd spot to take Leaf.

  • "Knock it Off!"

    Leaf struggled in his rookie season with the Chargers. He won his first two games, but won only 1 of the next 7 before suffering an injury. This streak also included the infamous altercation with a San Diego newspaper reporter in which he told the reporter, "...Don't (expletive deleted) talk to me, all right! Knock it off!" He had to be physically restrained during the incident. He missed his entire second season due to a shoulder injury, and wound up only winning four games in his three-year stint in San Diego.

  • Can't turn over a new Leaf

    After a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, during which he saw no regular season action, he was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys during the 2001 season. But Leaf only played in four games for the Cowboys. He made one last attempt with the Seattle Seahawks, but retired before the 2002 pre-season.

  • Aftermath

    Whether it was injuries, poor circumstances, or his attitude towards his teammates and the seriousness of his profession, Leaf is often cited as the biggest draft bust in NFL history. Every year prior to the draft, his name always manages to resurface for this very reason. Today, Leaf is working as a golf coach and assistant football coach at West Texas A&M University.

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