How Nick Saban helped Ryan Leaf rebuild his life after prison and addiction

How Nick Saban supported Ryan Leaf rebuild his life after prison and addiction.

Key points

• 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.
• John Brice and Paul Myerberg share their suspicions that LSU's quarterback Sam Leavitt may not actually be 'doubtful' for the rivalry matchup against Ole Miss.
• With Alabama's football team, Leaf shared the story of his rise and fall: from Heisman Trophy finalist and No.
• "Nick Saban was the first coach to do that, " Leaf informed USA TODAY Sports.

How Nick Saban supported Ryan Leaf rebuild his life after prison and addiction. Jordan Mendoza USA TODAY. LSU QB Sam Leavitt listed as 'doubtful' for Ole Miss matchup.

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. Pac-12 football power rankings: Boise State asserts as CFP favorite.

Leaf began rebuilding his life in recovery, using his platform to support 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 afterwards, 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 informed USA TODAY Sports. "Best referral you could ever have is Nick Saban bringing you in to speak. I owe that man a ton."

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 regarding his battle with addiction, his time in prison and the lessons he learned along the way, hoping to assist 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 remarked. "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 remarked. "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 nationwide. Leaf remarked he has since spoken to 79 football programs, along with teams in a variety of other sports. He additionally serves as a mental health and substance-use-disorder advocate for the Menninger Clinic, the nationally recognized psychiatric treatment center in Houston.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Leaf and Saban has remained solid. In 2018, the two partnered on efforts to raise awareness regarding 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 additionally calls select college basketball games.

In short, how Nick Saban helped Ryan Leaf rebuild his life after prison and is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.