bulldog Posted July 26, 2002 Share Posted July 26, 2002 From CNN/SI: CHENEY, Wash. (AP) -- Ryan Leaf has decided to retire from the NFL. He did not report to the Seahawks' training camp Friday at Eastern Washington University. Team spokesman Dave Person says Leaf informed the team of his plan to retire. After leading Washington State to the Rose Bowl, Leaf was the second pick in the 1998 draft. Following disappointing stints at San Diego, Tampa Bay and Dallas, the 26-year-old signed with Seattle in May. The 6-foot-5, 248-pound Leaf participated in the Seahawks' spring minicamps and had said he was looking forward to another chance as a backup. He was scheduled to earn the NFL minimum salary of $525,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Skins Fan Posted July 26, 2002 Share Posted July 26, 2002 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sea QB Ryan Leaf is not expected to report to training camp on July 26 because he is contemplating retirement, ESPN.com's John Clayton reported on July 26. Leaf is expected to be put on the "Did Not Report" list and at some point coach Mike Holmgren will talk with Leaf to see if his decision is final. Friends says Leaf is being bothered by an injury to his right wrist and has lost his fire for football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchogs Posted July 26, 2002 Share Posted July 26, 2002 what a shame :cry: :notworthy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted July 26, 2002 Share Posted July 26, 2002 the worst part is any of us could of walked out on the field, done just as good and would of appreciated the money more. Peyton Manning is laughing from his grave right now....uh...wait...that doesn't make sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Skins Fan Posted July 26, 2002 Share Posted July 26, 2002 http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2002/0726/1410477.html Friday, July 26 Leaf retires rather than reporting to Seahawks' camp Associated Press CHENEY, Wash. -- Ryan Leaf, once considered one of the NFL's most promising young quarterbacks, has retired. Leaf, the No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 draft, did not report to the Seattle Seahawks' training camp Thursday when quarterbacks were due at the team's facility at Eastern Washington University here. Team spokesman Dave Pearson said the second overall pick in the 1998 draft, who fizzled in San Diego, Tampa Bay and Dallas, had informed the team he is retiring. In four seasons, Leaf appeared in 25 games, making 21 starts. He completed 317 of 655 passes for 3,666 yards and 14 touchdowns. He threw 36 interceptions and had a dismal quarterback rating of 50. Leaf, 26, signed with the Seahawks in May, a day after being released by the Cowboys. Coach and general manager Mike Holmgren was not available for comment Friday, the team said. Calls to Leaf's agent, David Dunn, were not immediately returned. Leaf had been battling an injured right wrist, which he hurt against the Seahawks in a game in the 2000 season. It kept him from making the Tampa Bay roster after he got cut by the Chargers. The 6-foot-5, 248-pound Leaf, taken right after Indianapolis took Peyton Manning with the first pick four years ago, participated in the team's spring minicamps and had said he was looking forward to another chance. Many scouts thought he was better than Manning, now one of the top QBs in the NFL, and predicted an outstanding future for him. But Leaf not only failed to perform on the field but also alienated teammates and the media with frequent tirades blaming others for his problems. "His ability to pass is going to be hugely important to him in the future,'' Holmgren said during a recent minicamp. "In Dallas, he said it didn't bother him. It hasn't bothered him since he's been here. But he had an injury to it and anytime a quarterback injures something like his wrist, you're going to be thinking about it.'' Holmgren will open the 2002 season with Trent Dilfer as his No. 1 quarterback and Matt Hasselbeck as his backup. Leaf would have been competing for the No. 3 job against rookies Jeff Kelly of Southern Mississippi and Ryan Van Dyke of Michigan State. He was scheduled to earn the NFL minimum salary of $525,000 and he would have counted $450,000 against the salary cap in 2002. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted July 27, 2002 Share Posted July 27, 2002 I've never understood chuckleheads that have all the tools to play and piss it away because they can't get their heads on straight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiggoDrill Posted July 27, 2002 Share Posted July 27, 2002 He should have stayed. The new stadium here in Seattle is pretty nice. I'm looking forward to seeing the Skins play there in November. I guess he just couldn't take the emotional pain for $525,000. :cry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RF4L Posted July 27, 2002 Share Posted July 27, 2002 Unfortunately, people who piss away their chances find a way to rationalize and justify their actions. Down the road, I'm sure he'll regret not making something of his god-given talents and taking his NFL opportunities seriously. Then again, how much has he been paid already? Maybe he's got it all figured out and everyone else is :dunce: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiggoDrill Posted July 27, 2002 Share Posted July 27, 2002 Unfortunately, people who piss away their chances find a way to rationalize and justify their actions. Down the road, I'm sure he'll regret not making something of his god-given talents and taking his NFL opportunities seriously. Then again, how much has he been paid already? He probably pissed it most of it away when he thought he was God in SD. That's an interesting question: what percentage of living former NFL players are flat broke or destitute? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted July 27, 2002 Share Posted July 27, 2002 Almost all of the naalyst on ESPN predict that unless there is an intervention he will p1ss his money away and he'll be another member on bad jocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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