What if Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay had taken the advice of journalist Hunter S. Thompson, received a $30 million loan from him and selected Ryan Leaf over Peyton Manning with No. 1 overall pick in 1998?
There likely wouldn't have been the playoff appearances, the Super Bowl appearances or Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis had Irsay listened to Thompson 20 years ago.
Leaf, an NFL bust who was taken by San Diego at No. 2, added another twist in the Manning or Leaf 1998 draft debate at the time Thursday. Leaf tweeted Thursday a picture of the letter he recently received where the late Thompson sent Irsay saying he wouldn't give the Colts owner a $30 million loan for Manning, but he would do it if Indianapolis selected Leaf and made him its franchise quarterback.