Ryan Leaf, Former NFL Quarterback, Takes Leave as Coach at Western Texas A&M

by Jon Azpiri | November 5, 2008 at 01:26 pm

1435 views | 2 Recommendations | 0 comments

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has been placed on administrative leave from his job as quarterbacks coach at West Texas A&M. Leaf, who had a troubled and brief NFL career, has been placed on indefinite leave for what are deemed personal reasons.

A person briefed on the situation said that Leaf acknowledged he had asked a player for a pill to help him deal with pain in his wrist dating to his NFL playing days.

McBroom said he met with Leaf on Sunday to "go through some options, and we agreed that a leave is the best option."

Ryan had a stormy NFL career. After being selected second overall draft pick in the 1998 NFL draft, behind future MVP Peyton Manning, Leaf played just 25 games in five years and racked up meager stats. During that time, Leaf had earned a reputation for being hot-tempered, after having confrontations with coaches, fans, and the media.

After his NFL playing days ended in 2002, Leaf had carved out a successful career as quarterbacks coach and golf coach for West Texas A&M, although he doesn't appear to need the money.

He lives modestly in an 1,800-square-foot home in Amarillo. Leaf says he banked the millions he made in the N.F.L. and, for the last 10 years, has lived off endorsement money from Nike, Pepsi, and a couple of football-card companies.

"I invested in private real estate trusts," he says. "I've never really had to spend a penny of my N.F.L. income."