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Ryan Leaf

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Ryan Leaf
No. 16
Position:Quarterback
Career information
College:Washington State
NFL draft:1998 / round: 1 / pick: 2
Career history

As Player

As Coach

Career highlights and awards
  • Finished 3rd in Heisman voting in 1997
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Ryan David Leaf (born May 15, 1976) is a former American football quarterback who played for the San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys between 1998 and 2001. His brother Brady was a quarterback for the University of Oregon Ducks.[1]

Leaf had a successful college career at Washington State University, where he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy his junior year. At Washington State University, Leaf was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda, fraternity. He was selected as the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft after Peyton Manning of the University of Tennessee, after which many scouts predicted that Leaf would have a successful career in the league.[2]

However, his time as a professional was short and marked by injuries, poor media relations, and poor performance. A movie about his short career is being made.[3] He is widely regarded as one of the biggest flops in NFL and professional sports history.[4][5]

College career

Leaf was born in Great Falls, Montana, and led C. M. Russell High School to the 1992 Montana state title.[6] After high school, Leaf played college football at Washington State University, playing in 32 games for the Cougars and starting 24 of them. He averaged 330.6 yards passing per game in his junior year and threw for a then-Pac-10 conference record 33 touchdowns. He also helped the Cougars defeat the University of Washington Huskies, 41-35, for the first time since 1994. Leaf ended the school's 67-year Rose Bowl drought and helped bring the Cougars their first Pac-10 championship in school history. Despite a strong early showing by Leaf in the Rose Bowl, the Cougars were defeated 21-16 by eventual national champion Michigan Wolverines.There was some controversy about the last play of that game, in that the clock ran out despite Leaf's attempt to spike the ball. [7]

That year, Leaf was a finalist in balloting for the Heisman Trophy, given annually to the "most outstanding" player in American college football, as voted by media figures and former players. He finished third in the voting, behind winner Charles Woodson of Michigan and fellow quarterback Peyton Manning of Tennessee. He was also selected as the Pac-10 offensive player of the year, was a first-team All-American, and had the second-best national passer rating.[8][9] Following the Rose Bowl, Leaf announced that he would forgo his senior year at Washington State and turn professional.

1998 draft

When they entered the 1998 draft, Manning and Leaf were widely considered to be the two best overall players in the draft.[8] The San Diego Chargers held the third pick of the draft, but made a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to guarantee their team would get one of the two quarterbacks. To move up to the second pick in the draft, the Chargers traded two first-round picks, a second-round pick, reserve linebacker Patrick Sapp and three-time Pro Bowler Eric Metcalf.[10]

There was some debate leading up to the draft as to whether Leaf or Manning should be selected first.[11] At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Leaf was bigger and stronger, but most analysts agreed that Manning was the more mature player and the consensus top choice. However, differences in potential between the two seemed small enough that most observers expected it would not greatly matter whether a team selected Manning or Leaf.[8][12][13]

On draft day, Manning was selected first by the Colts and Leaf second by the San Diego Chargers. Other quarterbacks in that year's draft included current NFL quarterbacks Brian Griese and Matt Hasselbeck. Following the draft, the Chargers signed Leaf to a four-year contract worth $31.25 million, including a guaranteed $11.25 million signing bonus. It was, at the time, the largest signing bonus ever paid to a rookie.[14] Shortly after being drafted, Leaf declared, "I'm looking forward to a 15 year career, a couple of trips to the Super Bowl, and a parade through downtown San Diego."[15]

NFL career

San Diego Chargers

San Diego's high hopes for Leaf were soon dashed, as his rookie season was marked by poor performances. Before the season started, Leaf was fined for skipping a symposium that was mandatory for all newly drafted players.[16] Leaf did well in the preseason and won his first two games as a rookie, joining Greg Cook and John Elway as the only rookie Quarterbacks to lead their team to a 2-0 start. Baltimore Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco later matched this feat in 2008.

However, in the third game of the season, Leaf completed one of fifteen passes for 4 yards and fumbled three times in a loss against the Kansas City Chiefs.[17] He was benched after throwing two touchdown passes and thirteen interceptions in nine games, and replaced by quarterback Craig Whelihan.[18] After ten games, Leaf had thrown two more interceptions, passing for a total of 1,289 yards, with a 45.3 percent completion rate and a paltry passer rating of 39.[19]

Leaf had poor relationships with the media and his teammates.[2] In one infamous locker room incident during Leaf's rookie year, he was caught on-camera screaming at San Diego Union Tribune reporter Jay Posner, "Just f***ing don't talk to me, all right! Knock it off!" and had to be physically restrained by teammate Junior Seau. Another on-camera incident involved Leaf confronting a heckling Chargers fan during a practice session.[11] Two coaches had to restrain Leaf and escort him off the field.

Leaf missed his entire second season because of a shoulder injury uncovered by a preseason physical.[20] He was placed on injured reserve but made headlines for getting into a heated shouting match with Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard and another coach. The incident resulted in a fine, a suspension without pay, and Leaf apologizing four weeks later.[21][22]Leaf also allegedly lied about a hand injury to get out of practice so he could play golf instead.[23] His suspension did not end his off the field troubles. While serving his 4 game suspension, a video surfaced of Leaf playing flag football in Ocean Beach, California while he was supposed to be rehabilitating his shoulder and wrist injuries. This incident marked the beginning of the end for Leaf in San Diego. After the video surfaced, the Chargers filed a grievance against Leaf citing a breach of contract for participating in activities detrimental to the team. The Chargers sought to recover $2.95 million of his $11.25 million signing bonus as well as use the incident as leverage to shorten the length of his contract. [24] Despite the turmoil between Leaf and the Chargers front office, Leaf would remain with the Chargers into the 2000 season.

Leaf started the first two games of the 2000 season, only to complete less than half of his pass attempts, and throw for five interceptions and one touchdown. When backup Moses Moreno went down with a strained knee ligament, the Chargers gave Leaf more playing time. However, he injured his wrist while throwing an interception in a week four game and did not play again until week eleven.[20] Following more poor performances and injury problems, he was released by the Chargers after the season, with a record of only four wins as a starter in three years.[25]

Subsequent career and retirement

After being released by San Diego, Leaf was claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were intrigued by his physical talent and planned to develop his abilities more slowly by having him watch and learn.[26] However, Leaf's wrist still had not healed, and he refused to have surgery despite doctors' strong recommendations. After mediocre performances in the Buccaneers' four preseason games, the club asked Leaf to accept a lower salary. He refused, and the club released him just five days before the start of the 2001 season.[27]

Leaf attempted a comeback with the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him a few weeks after the Buccaneers released him. He failed his first physical and had trouble passing because of his wrist.[28] The Cowboys released him in May 2002, after he had appeared in four games—all losses—and thrown for 494 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.[29] Leaf was signed days later to a one-year contract by the Seattle Seahawks who, like the Buccaneers, planned to let him develop slowly so he could heal from his injuries.[30] The quarterback attended the team's spring minicamps and seemed upbeat about his new team. However, Leaf retired at the age of 26, just before the start of the Seahawks' 2002 training camp, initially offering no explanation, but later citing his injuries.[2]

During his brief career in the NFL, Leaf appeared in 25 games and made 21 starts. He completed 315 of 655 passes for 3,666 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. Leaf's career passer rating was 50.0, much lower than the 78.9 league average between 2000 and 2003.[31]

Personal life and legacy

The sports network ESPN listed Leaf first on both their list of the 50 biggest NFL draft busts and their list of the 25 Biggest Sports Flops between 1979 and 2004.[32][33] MSNBC commentator Michael Ventre went so far as to call Leaf "the biggest bust in the history of professional sports."[34] Each year, some sports writers speculate on which drafted player will be the "next Ryan Leaf", that is, the next big college superstar to flop in the pros.[35]

In February 2001, Leaf married a Chargers cheerleader, Nicole. They separated two years later and divorced soon after.[36] In February 2005, Leaf was enrolled in a sports management class called "Media Relations" at Washington State University.[37] He graduated with a bachelor's degree in arts and humanities in May 2005.[38]

Leaf joined Don Carthel's West Texas A&M staff as a quarterback's coach in 2006, and also became the school's golf coach in 2007. Said Leaf: "I feel very honored to be a part of Coach Carthel's staff and a part of an up-and-coming successful program. [...] About a year after I retired from playing, I decided that I wanted to get back to college, where I had the greatest time of my life, and to get involved with college football."[39] Leaf also admitted that he was unprepared for the NFL when he was drafted back in 1998.[39]

In April 2008, ESPN described Leaf as having made peace with his infamous NFL past: "When playing football became a job, it lost its luster for me. I kind of got out of the spotlight and life's never been this good."[40]

On November 5, 2008, Leaf was put on indefinite leave from his coaching position at West Texas A&M for allegedly asking one of his players for a pill, according to ESPN's Joe Schad.[41]On November 6, 2008, he resigned from his position at West Texas.

References

  1. ^ Graney, Ed (2005-12-26). "Different sort of Leaf at Qualcomm". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c Wash, Cheney (2002-07-27). "Leaf retires rather than reporting to Seahawks' camp". ESPN. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ ""Too Deep Zone: Leaf!"". 2006-12-15. Retrieved 2008-02-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Leaf didn't fall far from the tree". 2002-07-29. Retrieved 2008-03-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Leaf tops biggest sports flop list".
  6. ^ "Sports Illustrated 50 Greatest Montana Sports Figures". Sports Illustrated. 1999-12-22. Retrieved 2007-02-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "National title voting seems just a formality". The Kentucky Post. E. W. Scripps Company. 1998-01-02. Archived from the original on 2005-05-05. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  8. ^ a b c Pullman, Washington (1998-04-15). "Where will Leaf fall? QB says Indianapolis, San Diego both suitable homes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Ryan Leaf". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  10. ^ "Chargers". Say It Ain't So... Transactions that broke our hearts. Sports Illustrated. 2001. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  11. ^ a b "Leaf has footwork to move from QB to coach". ESPN. 2006-08-19. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Sherrington, Kevin (2007-02-03). "Leaf gets a career mulligan". Dallas Morning News online. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Finney, Peter (2007-02-28). "QB debate reminder of choice made in 1998". New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2007-03-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Leaf to Sign for Huge Bonus". New York Times. 1998-07-26. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "Leaf retires rather than reporting to Seahawks' camp". Associated Press. 2002-07-26. Retrieved 2007-09-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ Shanahan, Tom (2004-06-25). "Rookies prepare for life in NFL". chargers.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Wilson, Bernie (1998-09-25). "Leaf: It Can't Get Much Worse Than 1-of-15". La Prensa San Diego. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Wilson, Bernie (1998-11-20). "QB Turning Over A New Leaf?". La Prensa San Diego. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Cannizzaro, Mark (2000-09-01). "Surprise! Leaf, Fiedler get new starts". ESPN. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ a b Garber, Greg (2000-11-17). "Leaf will leave, but where will he go?". ESPN. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Neely, Robert (1999-11-22). "Saving Project Ryan: Chargers must take one more shot at salvaging Leaf's career". Pro Football Weekly. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Fallen Leaf returns, says he's sorry". ESPN. 1999-12-03. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Modglin, Trent (2002-08-02). "Ryan Leaf fittingly pulled the plug on one of the most disappointing careers in NFL history". Pro Football Weekly. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "PRO FOOTBALL: NOTEBOOK; Butting Chandler Draws A $7,500 Fine for Greene". NYTIMES. 1999-12-04. Retrieved 2007-12-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "Leaf fails physical, doesn't join Dallas". The Daily Texan online. 2001-09-01. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Buccaneers pick up Leaf". CBC. 2001-03-02. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Stroud, Rick (2001-09-04). "The Leaf experiment ends". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "Failed physical ruins Leaf's warm welcome". The Michigan Daily. 2001-09-06. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "Cowboys decided to go with younger talent at QB". ESPN. 2002-05-21. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Holmgren, Mike (2002-05-21). "Mike Holmgren on Ryan Leaf" (press conference). seahawks.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ "Ryan Leaf: Feeble mind earns Hall of Feeble". Footballology.Com. 2002-08-26. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "Phillips couldn't outrun off-the-field troubles." ESPN. April 17, 2008.
  33. ^ "ESPN 25 Biggest Sports Flops]". ESPN. 2004. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  34. ^ Ventre, Michael (2005-04-23). "Beware of next Ryan Leaf in draft". MSNBC. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ Prisco, Pete (2006-04-18). "Latest questions about top QB prospects too bad to be true". CBS Sportsline. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Schrotenboer, Brent (2004-07-28). "Leaf turning". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ "Ryan Leaf news you won't believe". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2005-02-10. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ "Leaf takes coaching job at West Texas A&M". ESPN. 2006-02-15. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ a b Richards, Phil (2006-04-28). "Humbled by past, Leaf starts anew". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ ESPN - Leaf embraces place in history - NFL
  41. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3684240
Preceded by San Diego Chargers Starting Quarterback
1998-2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Dallas Cowboys Starting Quarterback
2001 		Succeeded by

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