The NFL Draft 20 Years After Manning-Leaf: How Teams Try to Pick a Winner
- Producers:
- Jonathan Gruber
- Matt Spolar
In the 1998 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers both drew on a blend of physical and psychological testing, player background checks, and gut instincts to select a quarterback who would turn a losing football franchise into a winner. And when the draft was over, each team thought they had done just that.
History showed otherwise. The Colts picked first and selected Peyton Manning. He became one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, and put the Colts back on the map. The Chargers picked second, and happily took Ryan Leaf. He was a proven winner, they thought. But four years later, Leaf’s career was over, and he was on his way to becoming, arguably, the worst draft pick in NFL history. The drastic outcomes of the 1998 NFL draft raised a question that continues to transcend sports: how do you pick a winner?
More Like This
Louis Armstrong And The Black Celebrity's Dilemma
As America's jazz icon, Louis Armstrong was seen as a smiling, easygoing entertainer. But in 1957, he invited controversy by speaking forcefully on behalf of his fellow African Americans, putting him in a position familiar to many black athletes today.
Leaving NFL Over CTE Concerns Made Chris Borland Football's Most Dangerous Man
He’s been called the most dangerous man in football. Not for what he’s doing on the field -- but what he’s saying off of it. A new series of original Retro Report short docs produced for Facebook.
A Tale of Two Boxers
For many boxers, once the punches stop, the real fight starts. Former world champions Iran Barkley and Wilfred Benitez live that battle every day.
Boxing's Popularity Declined Due to Health Concerns. Is Football Next?
In 1982, boxing fans tuned in for a fight the sport wouldn't soon forget. Today, with concerns about the toll of football on the rise, is America’s favorite game nearing its own inflection point?