Ryan Leaf: Can You Spare a Pill?

We all know the Ryan Leaf saga. In two words, NFL Bust.

It's not that he didn't have any talent, he did. It was his attitude and inability to deal with the pressures of being in the spotlight that led to his eventual downward spiral in football.

For the past three years, Leaf has gotten his act together, or so it seemed, when he took on the quarterbacks' coach position at West Texas A&M. It's not a high-paying job, but hey, it's a place where he can work his way up the food chain and maybe, land a high paying gig in FBS football.

But once again, Leaf has shot himself in the foot. Once again, Cryin' Ryan has made a shout for help. But this time, he asked another player. A kid who he is supposed to mentor. Be a role model and guidance counselor to, in the world of football.

Pssst, kid, can you spare a pill?

Just what was Leaf thinking? What has been alleged is that the pill he requested from a player was a painkiller. He allegedly needed it to deal with some wrist pain that he has been dealing with since his playing days in the NFL, and he asked a player for the pill.

Are you buying this?

While we don't know the medical benefits afforded West Texas A&M employees, somewhere in there, there has to be a plan for prescription drugs. If he has an old injury that bothers him, there must be some sort of pain management therapy he is under. Somewhere, he must be under doctor's care for pain. Right?

What we don't get is why he asked one of his players. You can draw all the conclusions you want, but the obvious come to mind.

• He could be addicted to pain killers, and his doctors won't responsibly over -medicate him because they don't want to get him addicted.
• He isn't in any pain, and hence, doesn't have a valid reason for getting a prescription for pain killers from doctors.
• He is trying to self-medicate to alleviate some sort of pain he is in.
• He wanted a cheap high
• West Texas A&M doesn't give him medical benefits to cover prescription expenses.

Four of those scenarios are scary, and the fifth is pathetic, if true. If Leaf has had some sort of old injury that keeps popping up, you would think between the NFLPA and West Texas, he would be covered.

But the more sinister conclusions come to mind, and if true, they are a sad chapter in Leaf's life.

Asking one of your players for drugs, whether legal or not, sets such a poor role model example that he has no business being in a coaching position. The drugs are specifically prescribed to one patient, and any unauthorized dispensing of them is illegal. Moreover, if the kid has prescription painkillers, isn't there a reason for that? Taking a kid's prescription drugs is OK? When they were prescribed for that player's pain?

How did the school find out? Did the player narc on Leaf, or did Leaf fess up? Care to take a guess on that one?

Leaf's dismal record in the NFL- 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions- was bad enough. But his latest interception, that of prescription drugs, is one that cannot be overturned.

Sorry. No instant replay, no official review. It's an interception. You're done.

Leaf needs to stay out of football. Kids don't need a coach asking for drugs. Kids don't need a bad role model.

We all wish Ryan Leaf the best of luck while he takes this voluntary leave of absence to sort out his personal problems.

But please, don't let him back in around kids. He isn't a role model, he isn't a mentor. He isn't fit to be a coach.

Write a book, Ryan. Jose Canseco can give you some tips.