17 years ago, ESPN picked Leaf over Manning in a now hilarious article
On April 20, 1998, ESPN the Magazine made the case that the Indianapolis Colts should take Montana’s Ryan Leaf with the #1 pick instead of current Bronco’s quarterback Peyton Manning. ESPN the Magazine was not alone in calling for Leaf. It was a legitimate debate among football fans.
17 years later, the career paths for both athletes are well known: Manning is a Super Bowl champ, multiple time MVP, holder of almost every passing record, and a sure bet for the Hall of Fame, while Leaf was a spectacular bust. Despite this, it still is jarring to reread the arguments on both side of the debate.
The ESPN the Magazine article is amazing to read in 2015. In fact, we at the Mint reread it every single draft day. If you don’t have time to get through the whole thing, here are our 12 favorite moments from that article.
1. The writer compares Leaf to Brett Favre
“You’ve got the No. 1 pick: Who’s it going to be? Peyton Manning, everybody’s All-American with perfect genes? Or Ryan Leaf, Favre-like gunslinger, bully enough to flick away 300-pound linemen?”
2. The writer also says he is destined for the Hall of Fame
“Come 2018, Ryan Leaf, not Manning, will be strutting up to a podium in Canton.”
3. Ryan Leaf totally got the 1990’s
“You might find Ryan Leaf backstage at a Matchbox 20 concert begging for the mike”
4. Ryan Leaf knew how to party
“Hey, man, mind if we do the interview in the Jacuzzi?” – Ryan Leaf (actual quote)
5. This quote from Leaf is hilarious in hindsight
“I watch film as much as Peyton does, I just don’t tell everyone about it.”
(“doubt it, bro” – Peyton)
6. Leaf gives Montana a shout out
“I come from Great Falls, Montana,” he says with a smile. “My father isn’t an NFL quarterback. He sells insurance.”
(“is that the only difference between us?” – Peyton)
7. But then he tries to hide his Montana upbringing
“When people ask where I’m from, I tell them Washington, because that’s where I feel the most comforted by the people”
(not pictured: Pullman, WA)
8. Leaf’s reputation in Montana is pretty obvious from this quote
“To some in Montana, Ryan’s the prince of darkness.”
9. and from this story
“At [CMR], Leaf’s cockiness caused problems, particularly on the basketball court… Once he gave a crowd the finger.”
10. This story from WSU perfectly sums up Leaf’s career
All 75,000 start booing. Ryan, a freshman, marches out to the 50-yard line and starts waving his arms,
‘C’mon, let’s go, I’m here. Hey, Cougars, I’m leading you guys to the promised land. Screw you, guys. Boo me, I love it.’
Leaf lost the game.
11. The author ignored some warning signs
One curmudgeon offensive coordinator thinks Leaf is trouble. “His attitude is a problem,” says our coach. “His teammates aren’t going to put up with it. The press isn’t going to put up with it.”
12. And this fun, pre-advanced stats gem.
“You know what kind of quarterback wins the most games? The one with the biggest cojones. Leaf’s got a giant pair. He’ll do fine.”
(“Lol.” – Peyton)
About the Author
Montana Parlay Born in Billings. Attended MSU. Likes sports, enjoys gambling, loves Montana. Purveyor of wit and bullshit. Wannabe poet, occasional writer.
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