Ryan Leaf seemed to have his life back on track when he came back to Washington State’s campus at the end of 2011, but then went back down the wrong road a few months ago, once again robbing a home of a known acquaintance (and perhaps others as well) to get his sticky fingers on specific, dangerous pain killers to satisfy his urges.

The saga of Leaf has been ongoing and well documented, as he’s continued to violate his probation and a myriad of laws while keeping himself in trouble. Texas authorities and Montana authorities have been in a tug-of-war for the ex-college superstar, as he has offended in both states over the past several years of addiction. On Tuesday afternoon, in Great Falls Montana, District Judge Kenneth Neill sentenced Leaf to a 7 year prison sentence, with a scary maximum of 50 years possible. From SBNation:

District Judge Kenneth Neill of Great Falls sentenced Leaf on Tuesday to seven years with the Department of Corrections, with two years suspended. Neill recommended that Leaf’s sentence start with treatment at a program in Lewistown, followed by time in a prerelease center.

According to King5.com:

Ryan Leaf told the judge he was humiliated and embarrassed for himself and his family and added that since his April arrest, jail “has been a sanctuary.”

I’m happy he didn’t receive the max and hopefully our friend can get his life together over the next 7 years or so. I think I speak for all Cougs when I say that we all want to see him do well in life and are really pulling for him, even if he has embarrassed the community. The man is going to get another second chance and I pray he takes advantage.

Go Leaf!