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Ryan Leaf took to Twitter to express his gratitude for an important milestone in his life. On 3 December, 2022, the former NFL quarterback took to his official Twitter account to recognize the day.
He said that eight years earlier, he had been released from prison and was unsure of the path his life was about to take.
Leaf thanked everyone who helped him along the way and shaped the direction that his life has taken. His post and caption were combined with four photos which included those with his wife Anna and son.
"8 years ago today I walked out of a prison cell and into a unknown future. If I had known the size of the blessing that was coming, I would have understood the magnitude of the battle I was fighting! Thank you to all the people who have carried me along the way! #Soberlife"
Ryan Leaf dealt with drug addiction throughout his life and actually went to prison for theft, burglary, and drug charges. He also had several stints at rehab facilities for his addiction, but it wasn't until eight years ago that he became sober and has stayed that way.
How long did Ryan Leaf play in the NFL?
Ryan Leaf played three years at Washington State before deciding to forego his senior season and enter the 1998 NFL Draft. He, along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, were considered the top two picks heading into the draft. The debate on which quarterback would be drafted first consumed sports media.
The Indianapolis Colts had the number one pick and chose Manning while the then San Diego Chargers had the second pick and went with Leaf.
For the Colts, the choice proved to pay dividends as Manning went on to eventually win a Super Bowl. But for the Chargers, their choice didn't exactly pan out the way they had hoped.
He started nine games in 1998 and threw just two touchdowns to 15 interceptions. He threw for just 1,289 passing yards during that time. Leaf missed the entire 1999 NFL season due to injury and in 2000, threw another 18 interceptions and 15 touchdowns in nine games he started.
He won just four games of the 18 he started and the Chargers decided to release him after the 2000 NFL season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed the quarterback in the spring of 2001 but released him shortly after when they realized that he had a wrist injury and wouldn't go for surgery.
The Dallas Cowboys then attempted to sign him, but he ultimately failed the physical due to a wrist injury.
The Cowboys decided to sign him again when starting quarterback Quincy Carter was injured. He started three games for the Cowboys but was released by the team.
In 2002, he was signed by the Seattle Seahawks but never started a regular-season game and decided to retire from the National Football League. This ended his career in less than five seasons.
