Hunter S. Thompson Told Jim Irsay To Draft Leaf Over Manning

[RealGM Wiretap]

Prior to the 1998 NFL Draft, author Hunter S. Thompson advised Jim Irsay to have the Indianapolis Colts take Ryan Leaf over Peyton Manning with the first overall pick.

Thompson was willing to give Irsay a $30 million loan if the Colts selected Leaf, but not if they picked Manning.

Leaf tweeted Thursday a picture he recently received of the letter that the late Thompson sent Irsay.

"[Leaf] looks strong & Manning doesn't -- or at least not strong enough to handle that 'Welcome to the NFL' business for two years without a world-class offensive line," Thompson wrote in the letter to Irsay a month before the 1998 draft.

Manning led the Colts to a 141-67 record, the playoffs 11 times, eight seasons of at least 12 victories and the Super Bowl twice, winning one of those appearances.

Via Mike Wells/ESPN

[theman]

Hunter S. Thompson was doing a lot of drugs.

[23artest23]

Hunter S. Thompson was doing a lot of drugs.

Natural buddy for Irsay. Fortunately, Polian was around at the time.

[The_Hater]

It wasn’t just Thompson, a lot of people thought Leaf was the better prospect at the time. He was bigger, stronger and and a better arm. All of this was true. NFL scouts have been overrating height and arm strength and underrating football IQ in QB’s forever.

[SpotMe3pts]

Well, good thing for ol' Jimbo, he took Peyton Manning instead.

[SpotMe3pts]

On the flip side, what "if" the Colts had drafted Ryan Leaf, is it possible with the right coaches and people surrounding Leaf, things would have turned out different for him? At that time the Chargers were a hot mess.