Ryan Leaf to Bobby Beathard: 'Glad I didn't cost you Hall of Fame'

Ryan Leaf took to Twitter to congratulate Bobby Beathard for being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in spite of the latter selecting arguably the biggest draft bust in NFL history.

Beathard, a longtime team executive, allowed the then-San Diego Chargers to trade up to select Leaf with the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. Leaf was one pick behind Peyton Manning and two spots ahead of Charles Woodson.

"Congratulations, Mr. Beathard, you gave me my dream and in return I almost cost you the HOF. So glad it didn't, well deserved," the 41-year-old Leaf wrote on Twitter.

Leaf retired four years after he was selected by the Chargers. He played in three seasons after missing the 1999 campaign with a shoulder injury.

His teams went 4-17 and he completed just 48.4 percent of his passes while throwing for 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. Leaf's short career was muddied by run-ins with teammates, management and media, as well as injuries, and his personal life has been marred by legal and drug issues.

Beathard worked as the Washington Redskins general manager for 11 seasons from 1978 to 1988. The Redskins reached three Super Bowls after he took over and the team averaged 9.5 wins per year.

He also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs (1966-67), Atlanta Falcons (1968-71), Miami Dolphins (1972-77) and the Chargers (1990-99), who made their lone Super Bowl appearance under his watch.

All told, teams run by Beathard advanced to seven Super Bowls and won four.

Enshrinement will be Aug. 4 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.