The sad news hit the wires Friday afternoon. Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf had surrendered to authorities in Texas over burglary and drug-related charges.
Once the No. 2 pick in the 1998 NFL draft behind Peyton Manning, Leaf lasted less than four years in the NFL, his career stats framed by 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.
Having struggled for years with all matter of problems, Leaf appeared to have turned his life around when he took a job coaching golf at West Texas A&M.
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Comments » 20
straightshooter writes:
This guy was a loser after college all the way. No way not making a career in the NFL justifies turning to a life of crime and drugs. And to think, it was a very close decision on who would be the # 1 pick in the draft that year. Manning or Leaf!
kjneel#238751 writes:
Clearly he doesnt learn via lesson or he would have learned from Dwayne Goodrich who currently sits in jail and Leonard Little who did the exact same thing. He signed a big contract and thought he was invincible.
kiffownsfla writes:
WHO? GO VOLS!
GR82BAVOL writes:
The writer should've "kept it in in the family" so to speak. I see no similarities between Ryan Leaf and Donte, but I do see them with Donte and Leonard. That probably would've made for a better article and read, even though they're unfortunately both former VOLS.
The difference between Leonard and Donte is that they're decent men who made horrible errors in judgement. Ryan Leaf is simply a jerk who should've been the poster boy for not entering the draft early.
An amusing story while we're on the subject of Ryan Leaf. The Washington State fans were really ticked off at Lee Corso at the Rose Bowl in Jan. 1998 because he didn't pick them to win, and thought Leaf should stay in school. One fan was so upset that he "pinged" Corso in the noggan with a pecan while Corso was doing a College Gameday segment, prompting ESPN to install the dreaded net, which they still do today. The culprit? Well, lol, he was a then Kingsport resident and a diehard WASSU fan and friend who now lives in California. Until not too awfully long ago, I used to send him an email that simply said in big bold caps "WHERE'S RYAN LEAF?!" It like to killed him when Peyton got the SB ring.
Maybe after all of these years, I should sent him one today that says "THEY FOUND RYAN LEAF!!!" haha.
Orangeblood13 writes:
2 totaly different paths, irrelevent story. Stallworth admitted his faults and cooperated. The law is the law so he now has to put it behind him.
Leaf, should we even bring up this guys name?
murrayvol writes:
Unfortunately most of them think they're "invincible"....."athlete's mentality" I suppose.
ellerbee123 writes:
If one of my daughters, granddaughter, grandson or husband had been KILLED by a drunk driver. I would hope it would be considered more than "a mistake in judgment". That's the problem with drunk driving - irresponsible people do it all the time and therefore "try" to make it acceptable. Yes, I drink ocassionally, but am smart enough to have designated drivers with our party who do not partake. Please people, in the last month, I know 2 people killed by drunk drivers. I think it is murder - nothing less. While I loved Stallworth as a Vol, I think he should be banned from football - as the person he killed is banned from living.
ellerbee123 writes:
TOTALLY DISAGREE. Leonard Little killed a 41 year old with children. Stallworth killed a man who I feel certain had family who loved him. Leaf has killed no one. Leaf is far superior to Little or Stallworth. There is no comparison between the two. They are murderers.
blitzshoot writes:
Stallworth and Little can rot.
smyrnavol writes:
explain how leaf is superior. do you mean on the field, or in life. the only difference is leaf got caught before he could kill. who knows what he could have done hyped up on drugs with a loaded weapon.
TommyJack writes:
Hypocrisy runs amok on this board.
suttree writes:
Leonard Little, without doubt, is Tennessee's biggest disgrace. Killed a mom and never even offered up an apology to the family . . . even after the trials were over and he was back playing. He should be rotting a jail cell somewhere. He is a pitiful, disgusting human.
smyrnavol writes:
you are spot on x 10. sad part is, most of these posters go to church on sunday. if the preacherman only knew.
FWBVol writes:
Whether Stallworth's sentence is a little light, which I think it might be, I don't think it has anything to with his athlete status as some have said on other stories.
There was a similar case of DUI manslaughter in Okaloosa County Florida where the sentencing was handed down yesterday. The sentence was a year in the county jail, two years probation and the loss of the drivers license for life.
Stallworth got 30 days in jail, two years house arrest, 10 years probation, 1,000 hours of community service and the loss of his license for life.
Yes, these sentences need to be stiffer, but all drunk driving sentences need to be stiffer.
ethanfrome writes:
Your opinion is over-simplified. People in reality judge culpability differently than you do. Right or wrong, Leaf will be viewed as a person with a different level, and type of culpability than Stallworth. This is true even though the consequences of their actions were in a different ballpark.
hueypilot writes:
Perhaps Stallworth can recommit his life to helping young atheletes realize the dangers of alcohol and other mind-impairing substances. I think the hypocrisy on this board is thick enough to cut with a knife. Let ye who is without guilt cast the first stone.
Ironcity writes:
The word is intent. Leaf intended to do harm and has continued in his life to do harm to others. Little and Stallworth did not intend to harm anyone. Its awful what happened however had Stallwoth not been drinking, he wouldn't have even received a ticket. The man by all accounts jump right out in front of him outside of a crossing area. This does not excuse Stallworth and I think he realizes it, however A person making a mistake is not as bad as a person continuously and knowingly committing a felony.
jmr68ut writes:
Leaf = total loser!!! Rake this Leaf up and Burn him!!!
Orangeblood13 writes:
couldn't have said it better
BigOrangeJeff writes:
The "very close decision" was an over-hyped PR stunt by ESPN to increase draft ratings. Ryan leaf was college football's version of Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, only without Crash Davis to mentor him. Truly a million dollar arm with a five cent head.
It was never close; Indy was going to draft Manning the whole time. To give you an idea of the lengths to which ESPN wold go in order to build an audience, I heard that idiot Kyper say that Manning was no more than 6'1". I've never listen to anything the Hair Helmet has said since.
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