Indianapolis Star · Jul 5, 2018
Colts owner Jim Irsay got a plea to draft Ryan Leaf from an odd source
Peyton Manning is honored by Indiana and the Indianapolis Colts organization with a statue in front of Lucas Oil Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. Robert Scheer/IndyStar 5601305840001
(Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)Just when you think every story has been told about Peyton Manning, Ryan Leaf and the 1998 NFL Draft ...
Turns out there was pressure on Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay to draft Leaf ... from Hunter S. Thompson, the "gonzo" journalist from Rolling Stone whose fame bloomed with "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
Leaf recently received a letter dated March 1998, sent by Thompson to Irsay, urging the Colts to select Leaf No. 1 overall.
