Ryan Leaf – The Path from NFL's Biggest Bust to Overcoming Addiction
“I was actually being of service for the first time in my life…I knew when I got out, it would be the foundation of my existence.”
Episode Description
This episode is about addiction and overcoming it. Ryan Leaf is here with us today sharing his lessons about overcoming struggle. His story comes to us against the backdrop of an NFL quarterback who had incredibly high expectations placed on him as the #2 NFL draft pick in 1998 and then became known as arguably the biggest bust in NFL history.
But this podcast is about transformations and the most important transformation that Ryan Leaf has gone through is the fact that he's overcome a drug addiction and is now channeling that effort into raising money for people who want to go to rehab, but can't afford it.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health please call the National Substance Abuse and Mental Services Helpline: 1-800-662-4537
Guest Info
Ryan Leaf is a retired American football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. He played for the San Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys between 1998 and 2001, and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks. He currently works as a Program Ambassador for Transcend Recovery Community, a group of sober living houses in Los Angeles, Houston, and New York. He also hosts a radio show and works as a college football analyst on television.
Please consider bolstering Ryan Leaf’s Mission by supporting these organizations:
The Above And Beyond Family Center
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Show Notes
Ryan recounts his earliest memory playing sports [2:48]
Growing up in Montana [3:46]
Standing out from those in his hometown [4:48]
Finding structure and accountability [6:56]
“Pull vs. Push” [7:44]
Realizing the vision was reality [8:30]
Adjusting from high school to college sports [9:44]
The pressures of specialization [11:40]
Forgoing senior year [12:29]
Entitlement enters the picture [13:50]
Picking a future [15:01]
Missing the first-round pick [16:21]
The shift from college to pro [17:54]
Injury enters the scene [20:01]
The life cycle of a pro sports career [21:38]
Waking up to your life decision [23:00]
Booed in Vegas [25:40]
Self Medication begins [27:00]
[28:30] Trading shame for numbness
An egomaniac with a self-esteem problem [29:30]
30 pills in 3 days [30:44]
Sneaking in homes and stealing pills [31:50]
Chasing the first high [32:50]
Medicating just to feel normal [33:30]
The context of a massive opioid epidemic [33:55]
Prison as an enabler [35:30]
“Mr. Leaf, you’re of no value to society” [36:30]
Confrontation in prison [37:00]
Reintegrating into the outside world [39:05]
What the rehabilitation center had to teach [41:07]
A message to those slipping out of control [42:39]
Starting something big [44:00]
Providing a path to others [45:01]
Someone had to cry… [45:55]
A lifetime ahead [48:00]
Asking recovering addicts for autographs [49:10]