Ryan Leaf (born May 15, 1976) is a former American Football quarterback who played for the San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks. Leaf was the #2 pick overall of the National Football League's 1998 selection draft after completing his college career at Washington State University.
The San Diego Chargers traded two first round picks, a second round pick and even three-time Pro Bowler Eric Metcalf so they could move up and select Ryan Leaf in the 1998 draft. Leaf and Peyton Manning of the University of Tennessee were the highest rated quarterbacks going into the draft, and while Manning has become a superstar after being drafted first by the Indianapolis Colts, Leaf's career was spotted with poor game play and off-field antics.
During Ryan Leaf's rookie season, he threw 15 interceptions and only two touchdown passes.
Leaf also had a poor relationship with his teammates, whom Leaf tended to blame for his poor play, and the media. In one embarrassing clubhouse incident (which would subsequentally get Leaf suspended by the Chargers) during Leaf's rookie year, he was caught on camera screaming at a reporter. Another embarrassing on camera incident involved Leaf confronting a heckling Charger fan during a practice session.
Leaf was let go by the Chargers following the 2000 season, and he attempted comebacks with the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks. Leaf finally retired in 2002 at just 26 years of age.
During his brief career in the NFL, Leaf appeared in 25 games and made 21 starts. He completed 317 of 655 passes for 3,666 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. In the end, Ryan Leaf's quarterback rating was an extremely low 48.8.
Ryan Leaf is now considered one of the biggest disappointments in recent NFL history.
