When Ryan Leaf retired from the NFL, he was struggling to combat substance abuse and was eventually incarcerated for burglary and drug offenses in 2012. The Montana Department of Corrections sentenced him to seven years in custody, and two of those years would be suspended if he adhered to certain conditions. Leaf did not need to serve an additional sentence for violating Texas probation when he committed the aforementioned crime in Montana, and he was released from prison in 2014.
Since that time, he has traveled around the country to discuss his experiences and stigmas that are associated with mental health and substance abuse that prevent other people from seeking care. Leaf also serves as the president and chief executive officer of RAM Consultant, Inc. and is an NFL game analyst for Westwood One Sports.
Leaf will be starting a new role as the host of The Last Mile Radio on SiriusXM, a program that looks to promulgate voices who shape the U.S. Justice system. This show shares potent stories and covers topics such as substance use recovery, prison reform and emotional literacy. The program had previously been hosted by co-founder Chris Redlitz and musician/audio producer Eric Abercrombie. New episodes of the show premiere on Saturdays at 12 p.m. EST, and replays of the program air on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST.
“For someone like me, who’s been at the bottom, The Last Mile Radio means everything,” Leaf said in a statement. “It’s not just about telling stories – it’s about building bridges and showing what’s possible when we invest in people’s potential, not their past. This show and its relationship with SiriusXM is a testament to what happens when voices from inside the system are finally heard. It’s a privilege to amplify those stories and inspire listeners to see the humanity in everyone.”
Leaf has previous experience working in the sports media business, serving as the host of the eponymous podcast, The Straight Line with Ryan Leaf. Prior to the start of the Pac-12 Conference season in college football, he was named a game analyst for The CW. Throughout the game schedule, he worked with play-by-play announcer Ted Robinson and sideline reporter Nigel Burton to bring fans the latest action from around the country. Leaf, a former quarterback at Washington State University, previously worked as a college football analyst for ESPN and has also appeared on the NFL Network morning show, Good Morning Football.
“SiriusXM is proud of the strong relationship we have built with The Last Mile, and the success of TLM Radio over the last year,” Scott Greenstein, president and chief content officer of SiriusXM, said in a statement. “With the addition of Ryan as the new host, the show will only continue to grow, focusing on important topics impacting today’s society, including criminal justice reform, mental health, and incredible stories of transformation.”
The Last Mile was founded in 2010 and looks to provide opportunities to justice-impacted individuals for personal and professional growth. The Oakland-based organization is currently in eight states and 16 facilities, having served 1,200 students and more than 700 returned citizens. Listeners can access The Last Mile Radio through their SiriusXM subscriptions on a variety of platforms, and the outlet is also included with the company’s audio trials and plans.
“We are excited to welcome Ryan Leaf as the host of The Last Mile Radio on SiriusXM,” Kevin McCracken, executive director of The Last Mile, said in a statement. “The show aims to inspire listeners with stories focused on social impact, a mission we have long admired in Ryan’s community engagements over the years. Building on the momentum generated since the show launched in 2023, Ryan will continue to engage with changemakers who are committed to shifting the status quo.”
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