Dallas Cowboys Ex Ryan Leaf Celebrates Sobriety, Reacts To Troll

Anthony Licciardi | Apr 4, 2024

Dec 23, 2001; Tempe, AZ, USA: FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ryan Leaf (16) against the / Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has frequently shared stories of his battle of perseverance and did it again Monday, celebrating both sobriety and overcoming adversity. 

"12 years ago today I woke up on the floor of a jail cell...with no hope or possible idea what could be! There was no possibility of this life, no love of my life, no career, no future, no family, no recovery," Leaf wrote on X. "You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending! There is Hope! #soberlife #12Years #PartnersInCrime."

Dec 23, 2001; Tempe, AZ, USA: FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ryan Leaf (16) against the / Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports

In March, he made a powerful social media post in response to an internet troll that asked if his infant daughter knew he was a "bust," referring to his lack of success in the NFL. Leaf countered by pointing out the person's character, before adding that talking about his battle with addiction and staying out of trouble would be a tougher conversation compared to not lasting in the NFL. 

"She's 14 weeks, she'll find out," Leaf said on X mid-March. "There are assholes like you everywhere eager to shout it from the basements. I think the being a drug addict and seven-time convicted felon may be the harder conversation, but we trudge on!"

Leaf is an inspiration to those looking to turn their life around, but it's clear that he isn't going to be a punching bag by those looking to put him down.