Who Is Ryan Leaf? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ryan Leaf, born on May 15, 1976, is a former American football player known primarily for his career as a quarterback in the NFL. As of 2025, he is 48 years old. Leaf was drafted second overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 1998 NFL Draft and was regarded as a highly talented prospect. However, his career was marred by injuries and off-field issues, which eventually led to his departure from the sport. Despite his struggles, Leaf has turned his life around in recent years and is actively involved in motivational speaking and advocating for mental health awareness.
| Occupation | Football Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 15, 1976 |
| Age | 49 Years |
| Birth Place | Great Falls, Montana, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Ryan Leaf's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Ryan Leaf stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) and weighs approximately 245 pounds (111 kg). With a strong athletic build, he was well-suited for the rigors of professional football. In 2025, Leaf has focused on maintaining his physical fitness, often sharing workout routines on social media.
Peyton Manning and Leaf were widely considered to be the two best players available in the 1998 NFL draft, and scouts and analysts debated who should be selected first. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy recalled that although his team did not need a quarterback, "Manning-Leaf was really split when you talked to people".
Many, including 14 of 20 NFL coaches and executives in a survey, favored Leaf's stronger arm and greater potential. Others preferred Manning as the more mature player and safer pick. Most observers believed that it would not greatly matter whether Manning or Leaf was drafted first because either would greatly benefit his team.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
In his personal life, Ryan Leaf has been relatively private. As of 2025, he is reportedly in a committed relationship with a supportive partner. The couple shares a passion for outdoor activities and often speaks on topics related to mental health and recovery. Though Leaf has faced challenges in the past, including tumultuous relationships during his football career, he appears to have found stability and happiness with his current boyfriend (or girlfriend).
The San Diego Chargers had the third overall pick. Polian told Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard that he would not trade the Colts' pick. Beathard later said that he would have taken Manning with the first pick because he knew his father Archie Manning, "but that didn't mean there was anything bad that way with Ryan at the time".
His team needed a new quarterback after having scored the fewest touchdowns in the league in the previous season.
To obtain the second draft pick from the Arizona Cardinals, San Diego traded its third overall pick, a future first round pick, a second round pick, and three-time Pro Bowler Eric Metcalf, guaranteeing the right to draft whichever of the two quarterbacks Indianapolis did not take first.
Manning was drafted first by the Colts and Leaf second by the Chargers, who signed him to a four-year contract worth $31.25 million, including a guaranteed $11.25 million signing bonus, the largest ever paid to a rookie at the time.
Leaf said, "I'm looking forward to a 15-year career, a couple of trips to the Super Bowl, and a parade through downtown San Diego." The night after the draft, Leaf flew to Las Vegas, Nevada on the jet of Chargers owner Alex Spanos and partied all night; the following day Leaf yawned during his first news conference.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Ryan Leaf's estimated net worth is around $1 million. Although Leaf faced considerable financial difficulties during and after his football career, he has since rebuilt his financial status through various gigs, including public speaking and his work in mental health advocacy. Despite a challenging past, he has turned a new leaf (pun intended) and is focused on promoting positive change.
On March 2, 2001, two days after the Chargers released him, Leaf was claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were intrigued by his physical talent and planned to develop him more slowly, giving him time to watch and learn. Leaf's wrist had still not healed, and doctors recommended surgery.
After mediocre preseason performances, he was asked to accept demotion to fourth quarterback status on the team and accept a lower salary. He refused, and was released on September 3, five days before the start of the 2001 season.
Career, Business and Investments
Ryan Leaf's career has taken several turns post-NFL. After retiring from professional football, he grappled with addiction and personal issues that affected his trajectory. However, Leaf has successfully rebuilt his career by becoming a motivational speaker and author. He has also been involved in initiatives aimed at helping others struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Additionally, he has invested in wellness-focused businesses, contributing to both personal growth and financial stability.
Leaf played college football with the Washington State Cougars, finishing as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after his junior year. He was selected as the second overall pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 1998 NFL draft after Peyton Manning, but his career was shortened due to poor play, bad behavior, injuries, and struggles with his work ethic and ability to stay focused.
Social Network
Ryan Leaf has a robust social media presence, where he often engages with fans and shares insights into his personal life and advocacy work. You can find him on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. His posts frequently include motivational messages, updates on his latest projects, and interactions with followers who appreciate his transparency and honesty regarding his struggles and triumphs.
The Indianapolis Colts owned the first draft pick that year. Team scouts favored Leaf, but Colts president Bill Polian and coaching staff preferred Manning, especially after discovering during individual workouts that he could throw harder than Leaf. Manning also impressed the team during his interview, while Leaf missed his.
Leaf's draft prospect profile described the player as "self-confident to the point where some people view him as being arrogant and almost obnoxious".
Leaf gained about 20 pounds between the end of his junior season and the NFL Combine in February, which Jerry Angelo, one of six experts Sports Illustrated consulted on the choice, described as "a [negative] signal" about his self-discipline.
All six believed that Manning was the better choice, but the magazine concluded "What does seem reasonably certain is that ... both Manning and Leaf should develop into at least good NFL starters".
Education
Ryan Leaf attended Washington State University, where he excelled as a quarterback and led the Cougars to a Rose Bowl appearance in 1998. His college career laid the foundation for his subsequent entry into the NFL. Leaf's experiences in college football not only refined his skills on the field but also offered him invaluable life lessons, which he now shares with others as part of his speaking engagements.
In summary, Ryan Leaf in 2025 is a testament to resilience and transformation. From his storied career in the NFL to his current role as a motivational speaker, Leaf continues to inspire those around him through his journey of recovery and self-improvement.
Leaf has worked 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.
