65 min listen
Episode 4: Ryan Leaf's Mom
FromYour Mom™
ratings:
Length:
74 minutes
Released:
Aug 16, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Ryan Leaf was an All-American quarterback at Washington State University. He was the No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick by the San Diego Chargers in 1998. A few years later, he was known as the No. 1 overall NFL Draft bust.
Much has been written about the small town, big-armed quarterback from Montana who went from living out his dream to enduring life in prison. Today, we hear a uniquely intimate perspective on that journey, as Ryan's mom joins the show.
Marcia Leaf tells Ashley and Lisa about some of the joyful moments, like the time she crowd-surfed at one of Ryan's games. She also opens up about some of her most painful memories and regrets, including being in denial as Ryan struggled with drug addiction.
Today, Ryan advocates for those struggling with mental and behavioral health issues. He’s found purpose in his career as a college football analyst and - more importantly - in his role as a father.
Come listen to this emotional journey like you've never heard it before. Through the eyes of Ryan's mom.
26:30- Ryan's phone call to Peyton Manning in college
28:08- Marcia crowd surfing.
31:50 - The significance of Ryan asking his dad to tie his tie.
51:00 - Marcia explains why prison was the best thing that happened to her son.
52:40 - Marcia describes her Sunday “prison hangovers”
54:50- The change she saw in Ryan after he got out of prison
1:02:32- The one thing Marcia would change, as a mother, if she could go back in time and do it all again.
1:07:32 - What Ryan says is his favorite thing about Marcia.
Much has been written about the small town, big-armed quarterback from Montana who went from living out his dream to enduring life in prison. Today, we hear a uniquely intimate perspective on that journey, as Ryan's mom joins the show.
Marcia Leaf tells Ashley and Lisa about some of the joyful moments, like the time she crowd-surfed at one of Ryan's games. She also opens up about some of her most painful memories and regrets, including being in denial as Ryan struggled with drug addiction.
Today, Ryan advocates for those struggling with mental and behavioral health issues. He’s found purpose in his career as a college football analyst and - more importantly - in his role as a father.
Come listen to this emotional journey like you've never heard it before. Through the eyes of Ryan's mom.
26:30- Ryan's phone call to Peyton Manning in college
28:08- Marcia crowd surfing.
31:50 - The significance of Ryan asking his dad to tie his tie.
51:00 - Marcia explains why prison was the best thing that happened to her son.
52:40 - Marcia describes her Sunday “prison hangovers”
54:50- The change she saw in Ryan after he got out of prison
1:02:32- The one thing Marcia would change, as a mother, if she could go back in time and do it all again.
1:07:32 - What Ryan says is his favorite thing about Marcia.
Released:
Aug 16, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (74)
Ep. 10: Solomon Thomas' Mom: As Suicide Awareness Month comes to a close, Your Mom™ shifts gears this week. Lisa and Ashley speak with a mom who is championing the fight for Suicide Prevention. Martha Thomas, mother of NFL defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, lost her daughter Ella to suicide in 2018. In this wide-ranging interview, Martha opens up about the bright light Ella brought to the world, the darkness of her mental healthy journey (26:00) and what she wants all of us to understand about suicide (47:11). Learn about the family's non-profit 'The Defensive Line' which aims to reduce the stigma of talking about mental health and in turn reduce the number of suicides among young people, especially those of color (52:33). There is something for everyone in this powerful interview. You'll laugh as you hear stories about how Lisa and Martha's friendship began at Stanford (4:06 ), and you'll be inspired by the way Martha channeled her grief and pain into a higher purpose, as she works by Your Mom™