A Road Less Traveled?

Peyton Manning the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft was in the news this week.  So was Ryan Leaf, the No. 2 pick. A tale of two NFL quarterbacks. A tale of two different roads in life.


Ryan Leaf had it all.  Second pick in the Chargers in the 1998 draft.  Big signing bonus.  The Hopes and dreams of Chargers fans were rocketing upwards. Finally, the Chargers had made a big time move. He had the town by the tail.


and then he didn't.......


That old adage "Be careful what you wish for" is apparently still playing out. Ryan Leaf was arrested this week on burglary and drug charges.


It's hard to remember or believe now, but just before the 1998 NFL draft, it really was a toss-up as to whether Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf would be the better professional quarterback. The Indianapolis Colts took Manning with the first overall pick and enjoyed more than a decade of great seasons on his back. The San Diego Chargers took Leaf with the second pick, and watched in horror as he became the worst draft bust in NFL history. Leaf's refusal to adapt to complex NFL defenses, accept coaching, and grow into anything remotely resembling a franchise player led to his early NFL demise. Leaf threw 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in three NFL seasons, and was out of the league by 2001.

Leaf's post-NFL life has seen him no better.

While Manning just signed a five-year, $96 million contract with the Denver Broncos, Leaf was busy serving 10 years of probation related to a conviction for burglary and drug possession charges stemming from a 2008 arrest in Texas. The burglary charges were dropped, and Leaf pled guilty to seven counts of fraudulently obtaining drugs and delivery of a simulated controlled substance. He was given a suspended sentence and 10 years probation.

Life gives you opportunities.  Make the best of them.