Raw Leiba, a multifaceted individual with a rich cultural heritage, was born in Newark, New Jersey, to a Brazilian mother and an African American/Comanche Native American father. His father, Robert, was a US Army Veteran who served with the esteemed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, and his uncle, Roosevelt Brown, was a former New York Giant hall of famer.
Leiba's early life took him to Woodbridge, New Jersey, where he attended high school, and later to Tempe, Arizona, where he enrolled in Tempe High School. His impressive athletic abilities, including a 4.3 second 40 yard dash speed and a 44 inch vertical jump, soon caught the attention of Arizona State University's basketball assistant coach Doug Collins and Head Football coach John Cooper. He signed with Arizona State on the condition that he would be allowed to play both football and basketball for the school.
After graduating, Leiba pursued his passion for basketball by playing professionally for Barcelona EL in the European League. He spent a full season with the team before being waived in his second season. However, his impressive speed and leaping ability caught the attention of the NFL San Diego Chargers, who invited him to their mini-camp. Despite making the "Practice Squad," Leiba was eventually released when he informed head coach Bobby Ross that he wanted to pursue an acting career and could no longer commit to sports.
Leiba's acting career took off when he won the reality TV show Help Wanted, a spin-off of ABC TV's The Next Action Hero. The competition showcased his athleticism, guile, and acting abilities, earning him national attention.
Since then, Leiba has gone on to star in major movies and motion pictures, solidifying his position as one of the top sports models in the world.
