Ryan Leaf's road back from personal and professional turmoil was shaped in part by one of football's most respected coaches.
Widely regarded as one of the biggest busts in NFL history, the former Washington State quarterback battled drug addiction and multiple run-ins with law enforcement that ultimately led to more than two years in a Montana prison before his release in December 2014.
Leaf began rebuilding his life in recovery, using his platform to help others facing similar struggles and becoming a prominent advocate for substance abuse awareness. His transformation was highlighted in an ESPN profile in May 2017. A few months later, then-Alabama coach Nick Saban reached out
and invited him to speak to the Crimson Tide.
"Nick Saban was the first coach to do that," Leaf told USA TODAY Sports. "Best referral you could ever have is Nick Saban bringing you in to speak. I owe that man a ton."
Incredibly grateful to be back out on the road speaking and having the opportunity to be of service. Alongside Coach Saban, Rusty Webb, and the WV Gamechangers foundation we will continue to shine a light on the opioid plague that has ravaged this state. #soberlife #bethesolution pic.twitter.com/W2wZ0N5bzU
— Ryan D Leaf (@RyanDLeaf) May 28, 2021
With Alabama's football team, Leaf shared the story of his rise and fall: from Heisman Trophy finalist and No. 2 overall NFL draft pick to the personal struggles that derailed his career. He spoke candidly about his battle with addiction, his time in prison and the lessons he learned along the way, hoping to help players avoid similar pitfalls.
"It's not always the friendliest environment to rip off your scabs and talk about some of the worst moments of your life," Leaf said. "But those are the moments that can teach young people the most as they're navigating their own journeys."
For Leaf, vulnerability has become a strength.
"There's a moment that shows how strong you are that you were able to come back, and now because of the decisions I make has given me the life of my dreams," he said. "I've been with their players in vulnerable and transparent situations, and they just feel more comfortable entrusting me with some information, knowing that I'm not going to hang them out to dry."
Saban's invitation opened doors across the country. Leaf said he has since spoken to 79 football programs, along with teams in a variety of other sports. He also serves as a mental health and substance-use-disorder advocate for the Menninger Clinic, the nationally recognized psychiatric treatment center in Houston.
The relationship between Leaf and Saban has remained strong. In 2018, the two partnered on efforts to raise awareness about opioid misuse, including discussions focused on Saban's home state of West Virginia.
Today, Leaf serves as lead analyst for Pac-12 football broadcasts on USA Sports, working alongside play-by-play announcer Nate Gatter and sideline reporter Lauren Green. He also calls select college basketball games.
∎ Read USA TODAY Sports' full profile on Ryan Leaf's road back to football.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Nick Saban helped Ryan Leaf rebuild his life after prison and addiction
