Coug Fans Express Anger And Sadness As Another Chapter To Ryan Leaf Story Unfolds

Ryan Leaf had appeared on various social media sites recently, excited about his new life with family and his job as an analyst with ESPN.  It really appeared like he had turned his life around and, perhaps maybe he has.  There are few details available, as the troubled ex-WSU Cougar quarterback made news again this weekend as he was arrested on a domestic battery charge in the Palm Springs area.

On the Cougar Facebook page, reaction was varied from sadness that he had slipped again, to feelings of anger and betrayal, to those wanting to get more facts. Of course, Leaf had to serve hard time several years ago after breaking into a house to steal prescription drugs.  Even that was after there was word of him turning his life around.  

Leaf was an extremely talented quarterback who led the Washington State Cougars in 1997  to their greatest season and first Rose Bowl in decades.  Sadly, his life after that has been a sad story for him and those who have stuck with him through thick and thin.  

Cougar Player Bryce Beekman Found Dead

In what has become a dismal month, WSU football player Bryce Beekman, 22, a defensive back, was found dead in his home.  

Beekman  was a transfer from Arizona Western and started all 13 games for the Cougs. He was 5th on the team with 60 tackles.  

The death is still under investigation.

Gardner Minshew Honored In Seattle

Gardner Minshew II grabbed the imagination of all Cougar fans as he led WSU to it's first 11 win season.  Now the graduate transfer quarterback from East Carolina has won Male Sports Star Of The Year at the MTR Western Sports Star Awards sponsored by the Seattle Sports Commission.  He is the first Cougar to win that award.  

Minshew swept into Pullman like a new sheriff  in a western movie to lead a team rocked by the tragic death of quarterback starter apparent Tyler Hilinski after the previous season. His mustache inspired fans (both men and women) to wear fake mustaches.

Briana Stewart of the WNBA champion Seattle Storm was honored with Best Female Sports Star.