In a new letter revealed by former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf, journalist Hunter S. Thompson told Colts owner Jim Irsay to draft Leaf over Peyton Manning in the 1998 NFL draft.
The Colts had the No. 1 pick, and Irsay was looking for a $30 million loan to help secure Manning.
But Thompson wasn't having Manning, and wrote a letter to Irsay before the draft.
"[Leaf] looks strong & Manning doesn't — or at least not strong enough to handle that 'Welcome to the NFL' business for two years without a world-class offensive line," the late Thompson wrote.