Ryan Leaf, the former No. 2 overall pick of the San Diego Chargers who has come to symbolize the term "draft bust," now has much bigger problems off the field than he ever had on it.Texas law enforcement officials say an arrest warrant was issued for Leaf on May 20, and Leaf agreed to turn himself in on drug and burglary charges. But he failed to do so, and he is now a wanted man.
Randall County prosecutor Lacy Miller told the San Diego Union-Tribune:
"At one point he said he was going to turn himself in. He hasn't turned himself in yet, and if he gets picked up he's going to be arrested. If he gets picked up out of our jurisdiction, then we will extradite him or use whatever means we have to get him back. Right now he is a wanted individual."
Leaf started 18 games in two seasons for the Chargers and also played briefly for the Cowboys. He finished his career with 3,666 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.
UPDATE: Leaf's lawyer says he'll surrender next week.
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Athletes in Trouble With the Law
Quarterback Ryan Leaf, seen here after being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1998, is a wanted man in Texas after he failed to turn himself in on drug and burglary charges. Click through to see more sports figures who ran into trouble with the law.
Mark Lennihan, AP
May 30: Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins was charged with resisting arrest without violence.
Sam Greenwood, Getty Images
May 27: Falcons lineman Quinn Ojinnaka was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery. According to the police report, Ojinnaka got into a fight with his wife over a woman he added as a friend on his Facebook account.
Getty Images
May 29: Olympic silver medalist and former world kayaking champion Nathan Baggaley was sentenced to at least five years in prison on charges of supplying and manufacturing ecstasy pills.
Maxim Marmur, AFP / Getty Images
May 25: Former NBA star Jayson Williams, seen here during his manslaughter trial in 2004, was arrested after authorities say he punched someone in the face outside a nightclub.
Brian Branch-Price, AP
May 25: Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was charged with using his truck to hit a police officer who tried to stop the vehicle on foot.
Getty Images
May 16: Buffalo Bills fullback Corey McIntyre was arrested and accused with exposing and fondling himself in public.
Getty Images
May 15: Bruce Smith, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, faces multiple charges after being pulled over for speeding.
Chris O'Meara, AP
May 14: Memphis Grizzlies forward Darius Miles is charged with possession of marijuana and later freed on $100 bond. Miles was suspended last season for violating the NBA's anti-drug program.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE / Getty Images
May 13: Former NBA player Corie Blount is sentenced to a year in jail after a plea agreement for his drug charges.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE / Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
6-11-2009 @ 10:46AM
mstultz1 said...
He just never grew up!!!
Reply
6-11-2009 @ 7:37PM
suntommy said...
That's it in a nutshell.
6-14-2009 @ 11:20PM
wijgt said...
Just what this massively arrogant prick deserves is a daily ass-raping.
6-11-2009 @ 11:05AM
wingnug said...
These guys come out of college guaranteed big bucks. They should work for minimum wage for at least a year and after they prove themselves, negotiate a contract. That's how the real world works. It's also why I like golf, you don't perform, you don't get paid.
Reply
6-15-2009 @ 11:46PM
eysfbrown said...
You hit it right on target Wing! Athletes should have to prove themselves before they make millions!!! How many of them dont deserve it? Alot. I couldnt agree more!!!
6-11-2009 @ 11:11AM
daplumrz said...
robbery and drugs kind of go hand in hand. in texas, there is no fooling around with either. he will be found guilty, sent to prison, and his life will be a bigger hell than it already is. education is the answer. it is evident that he was looking out the window when he was in school.
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6-11-2009 @ 11:15AM
hwill2000 said...
mpm80----where are you?
Reply
6-11-2009 @ 11:24AM
phil said...
let me see iam 45 an hold down a good job but i do smoke weed
Reply
6-11-2009 @ 11:39AM
Nicholas said...
This guy is a joke. I am so glad the Colts were smart and picked Peyton Manning over this fool. This guy needs some kind of help, he is leading a very pathetic life.
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6-11-2009 @ 5:16PM
Jim said...
And I take it that that 'help' as you so facially put it, should come in the form of cops and prison.Nice call, bucko. I suppose that's what he gets for living in a place like TEXAS.
6-11-2009 @ 11:46AM
mitchbsandlin said...
BIGKEN, why are you crying tears for this loser. he had every opportunity to make big bucks and turned into crap. Why not let him take responsibility for his actions?
Confused and reaching out, my big rear end!! He appears to be a criminal. If convicted after he is arrested, put him away and let him rot.
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6-11-2009 @ 11:50AM
lesturgill said...
Ryan Leaf is the poster child on how to waste a life. Very sad.
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6-11-2009 @ 11:52AM
mdcsl said...
Can you say Mexico. From where he was, its only about 10 to 12 hours by car to Mexico. And several million's of dollars goes a long way south of the boarder.
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6-11-2009 @ 12:05PM
BIG-O said...
BIGEN, IF YOU EXPRESS THOSE SAME SENTIMENTS FOR M.VICK, I WOULD SAY AMEN.
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6-11-2009 @ 12:01PM
Tom Schrader said...
Ok, you are obviously either VERY YOUNG or VERY ILLERATE. Your ranting about Ryan Leaf makes NO SENSE what so ever. He may have a drug problem, but he will only get help if HE WANTS IT. He was an immature player in the NFL and A TOTAL BUST. Hate to see it when someone gets the chance of a lifetime to play in the NFL and just PISSES it away. Case in point, look at Michael Vick. There is a person that has NO MORALS and made entirely TOO MUCH MONEY and had too much time on his hands so he decided to go into dog fighting and also KILL some of the losing dogs. Does he deserve another chance in the NFL, I say NO, you pissed your chance away now watch from the sidelines as you sack groceries or install carpet and then sit at home and watch the game on your 32" TV at home just like the rest of us.
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6-11-2009 @ 12:07PM
Steve J Spieling said...
....Ryan has to hit bottom before any meaningful change can occur. Even then it's rare for an addict (i.e.screw-up) to get it together. Take it from me you gotta really want to make something of your life to stay straight.
But... I hope he can do it.
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6-11-2009 @ 12:10PM
kwh328 said...
Score one for the white guys!!!
Reply
6-11-2009 @ 12:15PM
hap0749 said...
It is my view that these kids coming out of High school and college are all treated like kings. They get big money, get anything they ask for pretty much. then if things don't work out, crash bang. Sports has gotten out of hand, players make more then our President. For playing a game they most likely would play for $100,000.00 anyway. It is out of hand. The fans did it. Until they stop going and paying, things like this will keep happening to kids not able to handle it. Greed has taken a firm grip on the USA.
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6-11-2009 @ 12:56PM
TomW said...
Well at least someone wants him. I smell a remake of the prison football movie coming. Where is Burt Reynolds? Uh, he is having his face stretched again...well came me back Burt we have a new QB for the prison in Huntsville.
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6-11-2009 @ 1:00PM
Tammy said...
Another high paid athlete with legal trouble. Its time to reevaluate priorities. We as fans treat these athletes like Gods and wonder why they screw up. I've been a fan for 45 years and am tired of athlete in the news because of trouble with the law. Its time for revamping of the salary issues. We pay the price of the tickets, clothing, and memerobielia-we pay thier salaries. Why do we put up with it? Time to step back and make these people human again. Time to make it affordable for all fans to participate. Whether they want it or not, by virtue of the profession they chose, they are role models and need to act as such. No athlete is worth the salaries these guys are paid before they play one game. Lets put them on a prove yourself system and for once make them earn it. Maybe a proactive mandatory substance abuse prevention program ahould be part of the deal.
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