Ryan Leaf Makes a Surprise Appearance on 12/10 WWE NXT

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf popped up on the December 10th episode of NXT, surprising fans with his backstage interaction with Lexis King.

Leaf shared a candid moment with King, explaining why he finds the up-and-coming star relatable. “Everyone is seeing your story play out,” Leaf told King, connecting their shared experiences of navigating public scrutiny. In an interesting reveal, King credited Leaf for his recent move, saying it was Leaf who advised him to attend NXT Deadline in Minnesota, even though he didn’t have a match on the card.

Leaf’s cameo sparked plenty of chatter among fans, as the former NFL star is now carving out a new chapter of his career. After being the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, Leaf’s football career was short-lived, with only 25 games played before retiring ahead of the 2002 season.

These days, Leaf is part of the CW’s college football broadcast team, calling Pac-12 games and building a presence in the sports media world. His NXT appearance adds another unique twist to his post-NFL journey.

What do you think of Ryan Leaf stepping into the world of WWE? Could we see more of him in NXT? Let us know your thoughts below!