Ryan Leaf Accused Of “Attacking” Popular NFL Doctor During Heated Altercation At Super Bowl LX Radio Row [VIDEO]
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Things got tense on Wednesday morning at Super Bowl LX Radio Row. Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf reportedly got into a heated argument with Dr. David Chao. People who were there said the exchange became loud and intense.
Meanwhile, San Diego radio host Scott Kaplan talked about the moment on his show Kaplan and Crew. He was broadcasting live from Radio Row in San Francisco. He said he saw Leaf walk up to Chao while Chao was speaking with his business partner, Craig Dado.
Kaplan said Leaf quickly moved into Chao’s personal space and started arguing with him. He described the situation as awkward and unnecessary. However, the incident surprised many people who were standing nearby.
Witness Describes Heated Moment
“Ryan Leaf has got a bone to pick with everybody,” Kaplan said on the air. “He goes on Twitter and he just tries to rattle cages. He comes over and before you know it, he is in Dr. David Chao’s face. In his face!”
According to Kaplan, Chao stayed calm and avoided any argument. Dado tried to calm the situation and suggested that Leaf join Chao on Ross Tucker’s podcast to talk things out.
Kaplan recalled Leaf rejecting the idea in harsh language. “Ryan Leaf goes, ‘f*** you and f*** Ross Tucker,’” Kaplan said. Also, he added that the exchange quickly grew more intense.
Story begins at the 5:43 mark of the video below:
Ryan Leaf verbally attacked @ProFootballDoc on Radio Row this morning. Why? Let’s talk to him to figure it out…https://t.co/ktY9tAJumA
— Kaplan and Crew (@KaplanandCrew) February 4, 2026
Later, Chao joined Kaplan’s show and spoke about what happened. He tried to keep things calm and did not want to create more drama.
“I’m not making a big deal out of it,” Chao said. “I wish the best for Ryan. I’m not sure why over the ten years here at Radio Row, I’ve seen him dozens of times, this is the first time he’s ever said anything to me.”
Leaf and Chao have a complicated past. Over ten years ago, Leaf sued Chao, claiming he received poor medical treatment during his NFL career when Chao worked for the Chargers.
Chao has faced controversy before. In 2014, the California Medical Board put him on probation and also reviewed his treatment of former NFL player Junior Seau before his death.
Chao said Leaf brought up those old issues during the confrontation. “He’s been accusing me of, ‘Why did you go to Gina Seau’s house to convince her not to study Junior’s brain,’” Chao explained. “And I said, ‘well, you have the facts wrong, Ryan.’”
Meanwhile, Kaplan called Leaf’s behavior unprofessional and out of line. He said Leaf had no reason to approach Chao in that manner.
Chao insisted he never felt threatened. He chose to brush the matter aside and move forward.
“Snitches get stitches,” Chao said. “I am not gonna report Ryan to anyone.”
There is a lot happening around Super Bowl LX Radio Row. But fans are now rooting for Sunday, when the Seahawks and Patriots are facing each other in the Super Bowl.
