When the Colts took Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf at the top of the 1998 NFL draft, Indianapolis made a decision that shaped the future of its organization for the better. Manning became one of the best players in NFL history, leading the Colts to a Super Bowl championship, while Leaf flamed out as one of the league’s biggest cautionary tales.
On Monday, former Colts president and general manager Bill Polian told the story about the team’s pre-draft meetings with the two quarterbacks at the scouting combine, which he said made all the difference in the team’s ultimate decision.
According to Polian, Manning told the team that he was planning to come into work the day after the draft, even though there was a league rule against it. Then, Polian said, when the team asked Leaf his plans for after the draft, the prospect said he would be making a trip to Las Vegas with friends and wouldn’t be immediately available to work with his new team.
Bill Polian on the stark contrast between Peyton Manning's and Ryan Leaf's pre-draft visits with the #Colts and how it affected the decision making
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 18, 2023
However, Polian’s account of the 1998 combine may not be totally accurate. On Twitter, Leaf called Polian out, saying the entire story is wrong.
“Well this is just a huge f—ing lie,” Leaf wrote. “Why Bill Polian continues to spew this bulls— narrative is beyond me. Maybe he thinks it makes the story more compelling. Seems pretty compelling already, greatest QB ever, biggest bust ever. Doesn’t need ur s— editorializing Bill!”
Leaf last played in the NFL in 2001, and he has been candid about how his playing career failed to meet expectations. Although he seems to be at peace with his life now, it’s clear he wants the account of his career to be accurate.
