Everyone knows Peyton Manning.
The number one overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft, who went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Everyone knows Manning.
But what about the guy that was drafted right behind him?
Ryan Leaf.
The San Diego Chargers selected Leaf out of Washington State with the second overall pick.
And that’s about as close as Manning and Leaf would ever be in their careers again.
While Manning rode his career all the way to Canton, Leaf’s career ended in rehab.
The former number two overall pick struggled in the NFL and lasted only four seasons before he was out of the league altogether.
This led him down a road of substance abuse, extreme drug usage, and crimes such as burglary and theft.
And even an attempt at ending his own life in 2012.
Leaf spoke to former NBA player Rex Chapman, who has had his own legal troubles in the past, on his podcast about the moment that led to his prescription pill addiction.
He said it started at a major boxing event in 2004 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where he was booed in front of the large crowd when his name was announced as someone in attendance.
“They announced Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, Dr. Dre,” Leaf said.
“The audience cheered and clapped. And, then the MC there at the MGM Grand announced my name and like the whole auditorium just booed and hissed.
“My addict brain heard not only are you a terrible football player but you are an awful human being.”
He revealed that someone offered a Vicodin to mix with alcohol later and he took it to relax.
“This would be the first time I abused it and … I didn’t feel that judgment, I didn’t feel that fear, I didn’t feel that less than,” Leaf explained.
“I didn’t feel anything.
“I didn’t feel better but it turns out I was just searching for that feeling of not feeling any of the feelings that I had been feeling for so long.
“I just wanted to numb out. And, that night changed.”
As tumultuous and dark as the 2000s were for Leaf, his story does have a happy ending.
On April 1, he posted an emotional message on X.
“13 years ago today I woke up on the floor of a jail cell…with no hope or possible idea what could be,” Leaf wrote.
“There was no possibility of this life, no love of my life, no career, no family, no recovery. You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending! There is Hope! #soberlife #13yearssober #partnersincrime“
Leaf has gone to become a husband, father, and has held various media roles at ESPN and Fox Sports, helping cover the NFL and college.
Not only is he a broadcaster, but he is also the CEO at RAM Consultant & Production, a public speaker, and most importantly, a mental health and substance use disorder advocate.
While his NFL career never panned out, Leaf has made the most of his second act in his new life.
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