San Jose State's Jared Leaf hopes to return from burns

San Jose State linebacker Jared Leaf says he would like to play football again after being severely burned during an apartment fire two months ago.

Leaf spoke publicly Monday for the first time since being hospitalized for 40 days after suffering burns while escaping April 23.

Leaf says he ran through a ''wall of fire'' to escape his apartment near campus. He says it was the ''worst pain'' he ever felt in his life. He was treated at Santa Clara Valley Medical Burn Center and was recently released to go back home to his family.

Leaf says ''only time will tell'' if he will be able to play football again. His skin is too sensitive right now but Leaf says he is feeling ''exponentially'' better every day.

Leaf was expected to start this season for the Spartans.