Ryan Leaf has dealt with his share of hardships since the San Diego Chargers selected him second overall behind Peyton Manning in the 1998 NFL Draft, but the former quarterback appears to have his life back on track. In a Thursday interview on ESPN's "Dan Le Batard is Highly Questionable," Leaf gave a frank answer when asked who he was as a 22-year-old rookie. "I was a talented egomaniac with a self-esteem problem," he said. Leaf, 35, discussed his struggles to deal with failure at the pro level after a celebrated run at Washington State and how an addiction to painkillers led to a 42-day trip to rehab that changed his life. "I just actually focused on me, really looked inward, realized, 'Hey, Ryan, the world doesn't revolve around you. You are no more important than anybody else out there,' " he said. Leaf is resigned to his fate as an epic draft bust, but he's determined to be remembered for more than just that. "It sucks, but hey, it's not going to define me," Leaf said. "I'm not going to allow it to. I'm going to make a difference in other people's lives because who I am as a person rather than who I was as a football player. I think that if I was only known for who I was as a football player and only that, it just would have been a tragedy." Source: NFL.com
Leaf was asked by a reader in an ESPN chat yesterday if he could physically be a backup QB in the league right now. Leaf said if he was committed to it...........he said could be. He also cited after the injuries he sustained in San Diego that he could've been a backup after realizing he couldn't be a starter but his pride got in the way. He added his pride could now, but himself can't do it. I'm the first to admit I disliked Leaf for a long time. But he seems after all the bad things he's endured in his pro football career and in life off of it, he's making an attempt to turn his life around for the better. At least Leaf has owned up to his mistakes and points the blame on himself for failing in the NFL. Unlike the rich fat guy from Louisiana............
Yeah agree BBB. Heard an interview on Tuesday with Leaf and the guy has humbled himself out. He actually did a radio show in San Diego when he was filling in for a host and one of his guests was Jay Posner (the reporter that he flipped out on.) So he's making light of that now and seems to have really gotten on the right track and in a good place. He's looking to get into an analyst position. I think a lot of Chargers fans that live in the San Diego community have opened their arms to him as well from what it sounds like. Good for him...
"I think a lot of Chargers fans that live in the San Diego community have opened their arms to him as well from what it sounds like." This is NOT the case, #16 will always be hated in SD, he brought the Chargers down for years for his own shelfish needs.... he can have all the excuess now, but for him to tear down the team and city for years, he will never be forgived.... Please just GO AWAY
I'll take your word for it FamousGuy. From the sound of the callers and Leaf, it sounded like their was some forgiveness out there. Which I kind of found surprising, but time heals... You say different from first hand, so I gotta believe you over the callers and Leaf.
Leaf is a 35 year old man who has grown up. It took him plenty of time to do so. The "rich fat guy" from Alabama not Louisiana is still a dumb kid. The comparison will be valid when he's 35 years old and continues to deflect blame.
Leaf seems to really have gotten it together. I hope he is successful at coaching or working as an analyst. I think he would make a good HS coach if he has it together. He is a great example of what could have been to the kids.
