Ryan Leaf is a former NFL quarterback who played for the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys. He was the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, behind Peyton Manning. Despite his promising start, Leaf’s NFL career was short-lived due to poor performance, injuries, and off-field issues. After retiring from the NFL, Leaf struggled with addiction to prescription painkillers, which led to legal troubles and a prison sentence.
“I’m a huge proponent of decriminalization. You remove it, you take the fentanyl out of the pills that are counterfeit on the streets. You tax it, you give them information on how to get help. It’s like clean needle exchange. It’s harm reduction. We’re about harm reduction right now.”
In this interview, Leaf discusses his journey of transformation and recovery. While incarcerated, Leaf began helping fellow inmates who couldn’t read, which gave him a sense of purpose and helped him turn his life around. After his release, Leaf faced many challenges, including the stigma of being a former addict and a public figure with a troubled past. However, he persevered and rebuilt his life, becoming a motivational speaker and an advocate for mental health and addiction recovery. Leaf shares his experiences working with the Menninger Clinic and the NFL Brotherhood, a community he created to support former NFL players struggling with mental health and addiction issues. He emphasizes the importance of asking for help, being of service to others, and taking control of one’s own narrative.
Episode Resources:
Menninger Clinic
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