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{{Short description|American football player (born 1983)}}
{{sprotect}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{NFL player
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
|Image=Matt-leinart-sports-illustrated-2005-cover.jpg
{{Infobox NFL biography
|Caption=Matt Leinart as featured on the cover of<BR> ]
| name = Matt Leinart
|DateOfBirth=], ]
| image = Matt Leinart by Gage Skidmore.jpg
|Birthplace=]
| alt =
|Position=]
| caption = Leinart in 2023
|College=]
| number = 7, 11
|DraftedYear=
| position = ]
|DraftedRound=
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|5|11|mf=y}}
|Awards=2004 ],<BR>2004 ]
| birth_place = ], U.S.
|Honors=
| death_date =
|Records=
| death_place =
|Retired #s=
| height_ft = 6
|NFL=
| height_in = 5
|years=2006-''present''
| weight_lb = 225
|teams=TBA}}'''Matthew Leinart''' (born ], ] in ]) is an ] ] (QB) who played for the ] Trojans, leading them to two national titles. Leinart played QB at ]. In ], his junior year at USC, he won the ]. He also won the inaugural ] for college quarterbacks in the same season. Anticipating his entry into the ], he signed with ] to handle endorsements, and ] to be his agent in January 2006. Leinart is expected to be drafted third overall in the 2006 NFL Draft in most projections.
| high_school = ] (Santa Ana)
| college = ] (2001–2005)
| draftyear = 2006
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 10
| pastteams =
* ] ({{NFL Year|2006|2009}})
* ] ({{NFL Year|2010|2011}})
* ] ({{NFL Year|2012}})
* ] ({{NFL Year|2013}})*
| highlights =
* ] (]){{efn|The championship was later vacated by the BCS on June 6, 2011, following the imposition of sanctions by the NCAA, including vacation of games during the 2004 season}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zinser |first=Lynn |date=June 6, 2011 |title=U.S.C. Loses Its 2004 B.C.S. National Championship |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/sports/ncaafootball/usc-stripped-of-2004-bcs-national-championship.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zinser |first=Lynn |date=June 10, 2010 |title=U.S.C. Sports Receive Harsh Penalties |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/sports/ncaafootball/11usc.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 2× ] (2003, 2004)
* ] (2004)
* ] (2004)
* ] (2005)
* ] (2004)
* 2× ] (2003, 2004)
* 2× ] (2004, 2005)
* Consensus ] (])
* First-team All-American (])
* 2× ] (2003, 2004{{efn|Co-winner with ] this season}})
* 3× First-team ] (], ], ])
* ] retired
| statlabel1 = Passing attempts
| statvalue1 = 641
| statlabel2 = Passing completions
| statvalue2 = 366
| statlabel3 = Completion percentage
| statvalue3 = 57.1%
| statlabel4 = ]–]
| statvalue4 = 15–21
| statlabel5 = ]
| statvalue5 = 4,065
| statlabel6 = ]
| statvalue6 = 70.2
| statlabel7 = ]
| statvalue7 = 89
| statlabel8 = ]
| statvalue8 = 2
| pfr = L/LeinMa00
| CollegeHOF = 2411
}}


'''Matthew Stephen Leinart''' (born May 11, 1983) is an American former professional ] ] who played in the ] (NFL) for seven seasons. He played ] for the ], where he won the ] and led his team to an undefeated season as a junior. Selected tenth overall by the ] in the ], Leinart primarily served as ]'s backup for four seasons. He spent his final three seasons in a backup role for the ] and the ]. Leinart was inducted to the ] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2017 |title=Rivals Manning, Spurrier enter College Hall of Fame together |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/12/05/rivals-manning-spurrier-enter-college-hall-of-fame-together/108345632/ |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=USAToday.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
==Youth==

Life did not always come this easy for Leinart. He was born with ] ("crossed eyes"), as his left eye was not aligned correctly with his right. He underwent surgery when he was 3 years old and was fitted with special glasses to correct the problem, but the eyewear combined with Leinart's already-overweight frame to make him an easy target for ridicule at the hands of other children. "I used to get made fun of for being cross-eyed. It's just a terrible thing because kids are so cruel to the fat kid, to the kid with the glasses. So I turned to sports," he would later say. Leinart would finally come into his own at ], where he graduated as one of the most decorated high school quarterbacks in ] prep history. Following his standout senior season in ], he accepted a scholarship to USC.
==Early life==
Leinart was born in ] with ] (commonly known as "crossed eyes"); his left eye was not aligned correctly with his right. He underwent surgery when he was three years old and was fitted with special glasses to correct the problem, but the eyewear combined with Leinart's already-overweight frame made him an easy target for other children's ridicule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reardon |first=Dave |date=August 31, 2005 |title=Leinart playing for passion |url=http://starbulletin.com/2005/08/31/sports/story2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012203148/http://starbulletin.com/2005/08/31/sports/story2.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |website=Honolulu Star-Bulletin Sport}}</ref> "I used to get made fun of for being cross-eyed. It's just a terrible thing because kids are so cruel to the fat kid, to the kid with the glasses. So I turned to sports," he would later say.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041214034911/http://usctrojans.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/leinart_matt00.html |date=December 14, 2004 }}</ref>

Leinart attended ] and was a letterman in ] and ]. As a junior, he led his team to a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division I co-championship and was named the Serra League's Offensive Most Valuable Player. Wearing number 7, he was chosen as the Gatorade California high school football player of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bolch |first=Ben |date=December 5, 2000 |title=Leinart Chosen State Player of Year |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-05-ss-61540-story.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

As one of the nation's top college football recruits, Leinart committed to USC under coach ], noting that a major factor was offensive coordinator ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bolch |first=Ben |date=October 31, 2000 |title=Leinart, Hart Keeping Options Open |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-31-sp-44847-story.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> However, after Hackett and most of his staff were fired in 2000, Leinart considered other programs such as ] and ], and visited ] and ] before USC eventually hired ].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bolch |first1=Ben |last2=Wharton |first2=David |date=November 29, 2000 |title=USC Recruit Leinart Waits to See Who Will Be Coach |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-nov-29-sp-58732-story.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dufresne |first=Chris |date=December 16, 2000 |title=Timing Isn't Entirely on Carroll's Side |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-16-sp-938-story.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bolch |first=Ben |date=December 16, 2000 |title=Recruits Seem to Be Committed |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-16-sp-939-story.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>


==College career== ==College career==
In his ] year, he backed up then-quarterback ], who also won the Heisman and is now with the ]. In the following offseason, Leinart beat out ] and former ] transfer Brandon Hance for the Trojan starting job at QB. Since taking over as USC's starter, Leinart has accumulated a 37-2 record, was named ] Offensive Player of the Year twice, and has won the prestigious ]. Leinart presently is the all-time Pac-10 conference leader in touchdowns with 98. Leinart is expected to pass Palmer in ] as USC's all-time passing leader, and was one of only five players to go into a season with the possibilty of winning two Heisman Trophies, joining ] in ], ] in ], ] in ], and ] in ]; Griffin went on to win the other Heisman, while Sims, Detmer, White, and now Leinart, failed to do so.


===Heisman=== ===2001–2003 seasons===
Leinart attended the ], where he played for coach ]'s ] team from 2001 to 2005. He ] in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dufresne |first=Chris |date=October 5, 2003 |title=Injured Leinart Earns Big Points |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-oct-05-sp-dufcol5-story.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> As a freshman the next year, he understudied senior quarterback ], who went on to win the Heisman Trophy and was drafted first overall by the ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2002.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2012 |title=Old Trojans Palmer and Leinart, together again |url=https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nfl/old-trojans-palmer-and-leinart-together-again/1324724/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=NBC Sports Bay Area & California |language=en-US}}</ref> Leinart appeared in only a few plays in 2002 but did not throw any passes. As a sophomore in 2003, Leinart competed with redshirt junior ], who was Palmer's backup the previous season, and ] transfer Brandon Hance for the vacant starting quarterback position.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2006 |title=Cassel to meet old rival |url=https://www.sunjournal.com/2006/08/17/cassel-meet-old-rival/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Lewiston Sun Journal |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Going into the season, Carroll and his coaching staff selected Leinart, not because he had set himself significantly ahead of the pack in practice, but because they had to pick one of the three as the starting quarterback.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=David Leon |date=August 2, 2007 |title=Booty carrying on USC's quarterback tradition |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2007-08-02-usc-poll-cover_N.htm |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=USATODAY.COM}}</ref>
On ] ], Leinart was selected as a ] finalist for a second consecutive year, set to appear again at the award ceremony in ] with teammate ] and ] quarterback ]. Having won the ] in ], he was able to cast a vote for the 2005 Heisman; Leinart voted for Bush over himself, and Bush went on to win the Heisman by the 17th-largest point margin in the award's history. After numerous accolades and 34 straight wins as a starter, Leinart's college career ended on a slightly sour note as he and his USC Trojans fell to Young and the Texas Longhorns in the ], 41-38. Leinart himself had a typically spectacular game, completing 29 of 40 passes for 365 yards and a touchdown against a Longhorn defense that was statistically among the best in the country, but his performance was overshadowed by Young's own sensational effort in leading Texas to the victory. In a postgame interview, Leinart said that despite the Trojans' loss to Texas, "I still think we're a better team. They just made the plays in the end."


When the coaching staff told Leinart he would be the starter, he replied, "You're never going to regret this." There was some thought in the press that Leinart would merely hold the starting position until highly touted true freshman ], who had bypassed his senior year in high school to attend USC, could learn the offense.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Ted |date=July 24, 2008 |title=Once anointed as USC QB, Sanchez asserted himself |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/82/once-anointed-as-usc-qb-sanchez-asserted-himself |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
===In the classroom===
On a personal note, Leinart majors in ] at USC. He returned to USC for the 2005 season despite the lure of millions in the NFL. He only needed to take one class to graduate and chose ], a class which filled to capacity shortly thereafter, a choice for which he received light-hearted ribbing from many people across the nation.


Leinart's first career pass was a touchdown against ] in a 23–0 victory in the season opener.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USC at Auburn Box Score, August 30, 2003 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2003-08-30-auburn.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> He won the first three games of his career before the then-#3 Trojans suffered a 34–31 triple-] defeat to ] on September 27 that dropped the Trojans to #10.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Faraudo |first=Jeff |date=September 29, 2009 |title=Cal's triple-overtime thriller against USC in 2003 produced multiple heroes |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2009/09/29/cals-triple-overtime-thriller-against-usc-in-2003-produced-multiple-heroes/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=East Bay Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 USC Trojans Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2003-schedule.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Leinart and the Trojans bounced back the next week against ]. Leinart injured his knee in the second quarter and was not expected to play again that day, but he returned to the game and finished 13-of-23 for 289 yards in a 37–17 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USC at Arizona State Box Score, October 4, 2003 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2003-10-04-arizona-state.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Gary |date=October 7, 2003 |title=Leinart Has Ankle and Knee Injuries |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-oct-07-sp-uscrep7-story.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Player profile==
Leinart is considered one of the top ] prospects of the ] ] class. Standing 6'5" (1.96 m) and weighing 225 ]s (100 ]), this ] thrower has the prototypical size for a quarterback. And while much of his success has been predicated on the high level of talent that USC head coach ] has surrounded Leinart with (as well as the schemes of former Trojans ] ]), Leinart has a very accurate arm, and, perhaps more importantly, he possesses rare football intelligence along with outstanding decision-making and leadership skills.


Leinart and the Trojans won their final eight games and finished the regular season 11–1 and ranked No. 1 in the AP and coaches' polls.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USC Trojans 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2003/gamelog/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> However, USC was left out of the ] championship game after finishing third in the BCS behind ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 College Football Polls |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2003-polls.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> The Trojans went to the ] and played the ]. Leinart was named the Rose Bowl MVP after he went 23-of-34 for 327 yards, throwing three touchdowns and catching a touchdown of his own from wide receiver ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2019 |title=Ex-USC Heisman Quarterback Matt Leinart Named To Rose Bowl Hall Of Fame |url=https://usctrojans.com/news/2019/9/17/football-ex-usc-heisman-quarterback-matt-leinart-named-to-rose-bowl-hall-of-fame.aspx |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=USC Athletics |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rose Bowl – Michigan at USC Box Score, January 1, 2004 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2004-01-01-southern-california.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> In 13 starts, Leinart was 255 for 402 for 3,556 yards, 38 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Leinart 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/matt-leinart-1/gamelog/2003 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> He finished sixth in the Heisman voting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2003.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> He was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/pac-12-opoy.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
Leinart's vaunted poise, accuracy, and decision-making were epitomized in one play when the Trojans played at Notre Dame in October 2005. With USC trailing 31-28 and time running out, Leinart audibled to a fade route on 4th and 9 -- an unheard-of action by a quarterback in such a situation -- and lobbed the ball perfectly into the hands of teammate Dwayne Jarrett, who beat the man-to-man coverage and raced for a 61-yard gain. A few plays later, Leinart scored the game-winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak (which some observers claim was illegally aided by a push from USC ] ]) as time expired. Leinart and Jarrett's clutch connection was one of the defining plays of the 2005 season, and it remains one of the most famous plays in the history of the Notre Dame-Southern California series.


In recognition of his Rose Bowl accomplishments, Leinart was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2019 |title=Eddie Casey, Cornelius Greene, Matt Leinart and Jacque Robinson to be Inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2019 |url=https://rosebowlgame.com/news/2019/9/17/general-eddie-casey-cornelius-greene-matt-leinart-and-jacque-robinson-to-be-inducted-into-the-rose-bowl-hall-of-fame-class-of-2019.aspx |access-date=December 14, 2021 |website=Tournament of Roses – Rose Bowl Game |language=en}}</ref>
Despite such uncanny ability in key situations, one possible area of concern regarding Leinart is his arm strength; after undergoing surgery to remove ] from his throwing elbow after the 2004 season, it was believed that Leinart's arm strength would significantly improve in his senior year, but that notion only somewhat bore out. And while he has the arm and accuracy to make terrific deep throws, NFL scouts are still dubious as to whether or not he can squeeze the ball into tight spots 15-20 yards downfield, as is particularly required on "deep out" patterns.


==2006 NFL Draft== ===2004 season===
The Trojans started Leinart's junior season (2004) with victories in their first three games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USC Trojans 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2004/gamelog/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> On September 25, the Trojans played ]. After Stanford took a 28–17 halftime lead, Leinart sparked the offense with a 51-yard pass to ] and scored on a one-yard sneak to cut the Cardinal lead to four points. Leinart and the Trojans were able to take the lead on a ] rushing touchdown and held on for the victory, 31–28. Leinart completed 24 of 30 passes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USC at Stanford Box Score, September 25, 2004 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2004-09-25-stanford.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
By returning for his senior season Leinart probably hurt his draft position, as he most likely would have been selected as the first pick in the ] draft but now figures to be drafted at some point after his USC teammate (and Heisman Trophy successor) ]. Some also speculate that he could even be drafted after ], in light of Young's dazzling Rose Bowl performance. With the current setup, though, the team most likely to draft Leinart (according to several other experts (including ] and ]) is probably the ], who hold the #3 pick and are also in need of a quarterback.
Leinart finished the final regular season game against ], but was held without a touchdown pass for the first time in 25 starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USC at UCLA Box Score, December 4, 2004 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2004-12-04-ucla.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Nonetheless, Leinart was invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony, along with teammate ], Oklahoma's freshman running back sensation ], quarterback and incumbent Heisman winner ], and ]'s quarterback ]. In what many had considered one of the more competitive Heisman races,<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2004 |title=Trophy hunt — Candidates abound in Heisman race |url=https://www.deseret.com/2004/11/10/19860315/trophy-hunt-151-candidates-abound-in-heisman-race |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Deseret News |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Leinart became the sixth USC player to claim the Heisman Trophy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2004.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Heisman Memorial Trophy Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
] in 2005]]
In 2004, USC went wire-to-wire at No. 1 in the polls and earned a bid to the BCS title game at the ] against ], which was also 12–0. A dream matchup on paper (including White vs. Leinart, which was to be the first time two Heisman winners would play against each other),<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2005 |title=Trojans Defeat Oklahoma in Orange Bowl |url=https://soonersports.com/news/2007/6/9/208394401 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=University of Oklahoma |language=en}}</ref> the Orange Bowl turned out to be a rout, as Leinart threw for five touchdown passes on 18-for-35 passing and 332 yards to lead the Trojans to a 55–19 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orange Bowl – USC vs Oklahoma Box Score, January 4, 2005 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2005-01-04-oklahoma.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thamel |first=Pete |date=January 5, 2005 |title=Trojans in No Mood to Share |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/05/sports/ncaafootball/trojans-in-no-mood-to-share.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Leinart received Orange Bowl MVP honors and the Trojans claimed their first BCS National Championship and second straight No. 1 finish in the AP, extending their winning streak to 22 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Austin |date=January 10, 2005 |title=Leinart, USC destroys Oklahoma to win national title |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2005/01/10/without-a-doubt |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=USC Trojans College Football History, Stats, Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/index.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 College Football Polls |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2004-polls.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2005 |title=USC crushes Oklahoma in title game, 55–19 |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/usc-crushes-oklahoma-in-title-game-55-19/article_e308d103-9090-5621-ba1f-18bce7f4c910.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=East Valley Tribune |language=en}}</ref> This victory and BCS championship were later vacated as a result of the Reggie Bush scandal (though the AP national championship still stands).<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2011 |title=Appeals Exhausted, USC Finally Stripped of 2004 BCS National Title |url=https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2011/6/6/2210584/appeals-exhausted-usc-finally-stripped-of-2004-bcs-national-title |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=College and Magnolia |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2010 |title=Report: USC won't lose 2004 AP championship |url=https://www.espn.com/ncf/news/story?id=5277555 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> He won Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season but shared it with Reggie Bush.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2004 |title=Junior Free Safety Darrell Brooks Named Second Team All-Pac-10 |url=https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/2004/11/30/207979996 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=University of Arizona Athletics |language=en}}</ref>


==Honors== ===2005 season===
Against ], Leinart threw for a career-high 400 yards. After an incomplete pass and a sack led to a fourth-and-nine situation with 1:36 left—at the Trojans' own 26-yard line, Leinart called an audible "slant and go" route at the line of scrimmage and threw deep against the Irish's man-to-man coverage, where ] caught the ball and raced to the Irish' 13-yard line, a 61-yard gain. Leinart moved the ball to the goal line as time dwindled and scored on a ] that gave the Trojans a 34–31 lead with three seconds to go, giving the Trojans their 28th straight victory and one of the most memorable and dramatic finishes in the history of the ].
===2004===

* Heisman Trophy Winner
The 2005 Trojans again had a perfect 12–0 regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USC Trojans 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2005/gamelog/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Leinart was again invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony along with teammate Reggie Bush and ] quarterback ]. As a former Heisman winner, Leinart cast his first-place vote for Bush, and ended up third in the voting behind Bush and runner-up Young.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heyman |first=Brian |date=December 10, 2005 |title=USC's Bush leaves Heisman field in his wake |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2005-12-10-heisman-winner_x.htm |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=USATODAY.COM}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2005.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>

The Trojans advanced to the Rose Bowl to face ] and #2 ] in the ]. The title game was considered another "dream matchup". Leinart completed 29 of 40 passes for a touchdown and 365 yards, but was overshadowed by Young, who piled up 467 yards of total offense and rushed for three touchdowns, including a score with 19 seconds remaining and two-point conversion to put the Longhorns ahead, 41–38.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rose Bowl – Texas at USC Box Score, January 4, 2006 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2006-01-04-southern-california.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> The Trojans lost for the first time in 35 games, and Leinart for just the second time in his 39 career starts. After graduation, Leinart's #11 jersey was retired at USC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Chantel |date=June 3, 2015 |title=Numbers you don't mess with in the Pac-12 |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/111332/numbers-you-dont-mess-with-in-the-pac-12 |access-date=July 22, 2017 |website=]}}</ref>

Leinart finished his college career with 807 completions on 1,245 attempts (64.8% completion percentage) for 10,693 yards, 99 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Leinart College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/matt-leinart-1.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> At the time of his departure, he was USC's all-time leader in career touchdown passes and completion percentage, and was second at USC behind ] in completions and yardage. He averaged nearly 8.6 yards per attempt, and averaged only one interception every 54 attempts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USC Trojans Passing Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> He was 37–2 as a starter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2011 |title=Leinart not ready to give up his dream |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2011/08/12/leinart-not-ready-to-give-up-his-dream/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref>

===College statistics===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="18" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|USC Trojans}}"| USC Trojans
|-
! rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team
! rowspan="2"| GP
! rowspan="2"| GS
! colspan="7"| Passing
! colspan="3"| Rushing
|-
! Cmp !! Att !! Pct !! Yds !! TD !! Int !! Rtg !! Att !! Yds !! TD
|-
! ] || ]
| colspan="10"|''Redshirted''
|-
! ] || ]
| 3 || 0 || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || –
|-
! ] || ]
| 13 || 13 || 255 || 402 || 63.4 || 3,556 || 38 || 9 || 164.5 || 32 || −62 || 0
|-
! ] || ]
| 13 || 13 || 269 || 412 || 65.3 || 3,322 || 33 || 6 || 156.5 || 49 || −44 || 3
|-
! ] || ]
| 13 || 13 || 283 || 431 || 65.7 || 3,815 || 28 || 8 || 157.7 || 51 || 36 || 6
|-
! colspan="2"| || 42 || 39 || 807 || 1,245 || 64.8 || 10,693 || 99 || 23 || 159.5 || 132 || −70 || 9
|}

===Honors===

====2004====
{|
|
* ] Winner
* ] MVP * ] MVP
* ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
* ]
* ] Player of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |title=AP Player of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/ap-poy.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
* ] player of the year
* ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manning Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/manning.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
* Touchdown Club ]
* Touchdown Club QB of the year * Touchdown Club QB of the Year
* Victor Award (Player of the Year)<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2005 |title=Tuberville Receives Victor Award for College Football Coach of the Year |url=https://auburntigers.com/news/2005/7/16/Tuberville_Receives_Victor_Award_for_College_Football_Coach_of_the_Year |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Auburn University Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
* Victor Award player of the year
* ] Finalist * ] Finalist
|
* AP All-American first team
* Newport college player of the year
* Football Coaches All-American first team
* ] All-American first-team<ref>{{Cite web |title=Consensus All-America Teams (2000–2009) |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/all-america-2000-2009.html#2004 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
* ]
* Football Coaches ] first-team
* CSTV
* ], CSTV, Rivals.com, ], and ] first-team All-American
* Rivals.com
* ] Co-offensive player of the year
* ]
* ].com player of the year
* CollegeFootballNews.com All-American first team
* Pac-10 Co-offensive player of the year * ] player of the year
* Pre-season ]
* ESPN.com player of the year
|}
* Rivals.com player of the year
* Pre-season All-American


===2005=== ====2005====
*Orange Bowl MVP * Orange Bowl MVP
* Unitas Award<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/unitas.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
*Unitas Award
*Finalist for Heisman Trophy * Finalist for Heisman Trophy
*All-American Offensive Player * All-American Offensive Player
*LA Sports Sportsman of the Year * LA Sports Sportsman of the Year
*Sporting News Sportsman of the Year * ] Sportsman of the Year


==Professional career==
===2006===
===Pre-draft===
*Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Males 2006
Projected to be the first overall pick of the ], Leinart's draft stock decreased after he chose to return to USC for his senior season.<ref name="RightWrong">{{Cite web |last=Goulding II |first=Patrick |date=January 5, 2011 |title=Matt Leinart to San Francisco 49ers: A Chance To Right a Draft Day Gone Wrong? |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/563400-matt-leinart-to-the-49ers-a-chance-to-right-a-draft-day-gone-wrong |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="Return">{{Cite news |last=Schlabach |first=Mark |date=January 15, 2005 |title=QB Leinart Opts to Return To USC |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2005/01/15/qb-leinart-opts-to-return-to-usc/f295287f-acc8-4f09-bc6f-ba7e0aebcf6e/ |access-date=May 7, 2021 |newspaper=]}}</ref><ref name="Surprise">{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Gary |date=January 15, 2005 |title=Surprise! Leinart is Staying |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2005-01-15-0501150283-story.html |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="Dance">{{Cite magazine |last=Reilly |first=Rick |date=October 24, 2005 |title=Leinart's Last Dance |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2005/10/24/leinarts-last-dance- |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507141720/https://vault.si.com/vault/2005/10/24/leinarts-last-dance- |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |magazine=]}}</ref><ref name="10thOverall">{{Cite web |last=Rovell |first=Darren |date=April 29, 2006 |title=Leinart won't make $24 mil signing bonus as 10th pick |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft06/news/story?id=2426948 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="Slide">{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2015 |title=Quarterback Draft Slides |url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/ffef45hged/matt-leinart/?sh=91286eb19dfa |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=]}}</ref> Nonetheless, he remained one of the top prospects in the ]. Scouts considered Leinart to be the archetypal NFL quarterback in size at {{height|ft=6|in=5}} and {{convert|225|lb}}, although his arm strength drew concerns.
*ESPN Hottest Male Athlete of the Year


{{NFL predraft
==External links==
| height ft = 6
* - Matt Leinart NFL Draft Profile
| height in = 4 7/8
* - Matt Leinart's official ]
| weight = 223
* - Matt Leinart profile and bio
| dash = 4.90
* - Matt Leinart Unofficial Website
| vertical = 37
*
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 5
| arm span = 33 1/2
| hand span = 10 1/8
| wonderlic = 35<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical NFL Wonderlic Scores |url=http://wonderlictestsample.com/nfl-wonderlic-scores/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902201337/http://wonderlictestsample.com/nfl-wonderlic-scores/ |archive-date=September 2, 2016 |access-date=September 2, 2016 |publisher=wonderlictestsample.com}}</ref>
| note = All values from ] and ]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/matt-leinart/32004c45-4945-3701-15f7-4dbd0ef2143c |title=Matt Leinart Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Leinart, Southern California, QB, 2006 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=15684&DraftYear=2006 |access-date=August 1, 2021 |website=draftscout.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Leinart, Combine Results, QB – Southern California |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=7434 |access-date=August 1, 2021 |website=nflcombineresults.com}}</ref>
}}

===Arizona Cardinals===
]
Leinart was selected tenth overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft by the ]. Leinart was the draft's second-highest selected quarterback after ], who defeated Leinart's team in the Rose Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/draft.htm |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Leinart spent four seasons with the Cardinals, primarily as a backup for veteran ].

In his first season, after a contentious negotiation making him the last member of the draft to sign a contract, Leinart agreed to a six-year, $51 million contract on August 14.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2006 |title=Leinart finally agrees to deal |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5873090 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060824100641/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5873090 |archive-date=August 24, 2006 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=FOX Sports}}</ref> Leinart played in the second quarter of the exhibition game against the ] on August 19.

Cardinals head coach Dennis Green held a press conference after a poor performance by Warner in Week 3 and announced Leinart would start. He made his debut in the fourth game of the season, throwing two touchdown passes.

In Week 6 against the 5–0 ], Leinart threw two touchdown passes in the first half, but the ].

In a November 26 game against the Minnesota Vikings, Leinart set a then-NFL rookie record with 405 passing yards, but only produced a quarterback rating of 74.0 as the team ultimately lost. He suffered a sprained left shoulder (throwing arm) in the Week 16 win over the ]. In 11 starts, Leinart threw for 2,547 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He finished the season with a 4–7 record.

Leinart opened the ] on '']'' against the ] as the starting quarterback. After a sequence of drives, the offense stalled, which led new head coach ] to begin inserting Warner as a situational quarterback. On October 7, 2007, Leinart suffered a fractured left collarbone after being sacked by ] linebacker ]. Three days later, he was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. In his first two NFL seasons, Leinart had suffered two season-ending injuries, both due to being sacked. With Warner at the helm for the remainder of the season, the Cardinals mounted a late-season surge and won five of their final eight games.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}

In Leinart's second season with Arizona, he started five games, completed 53.6% of his passes (60/112), and threw for 647 yards, 5.8 yards per attempt, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. His passer rating was 61.9. He averaged 129 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per start. In the 2008 offseason, after he recovered from the injury, Leinart was handed his starting job back. Still, his hold on the job was tenuous after another strong training camp performance by Warner. Finally, after Leinart threw three interceptions within a matter of minutes versus the ] in the third preseason game, Warner was named the opening-day starter. Leinart picked up only a limited number of snaps in mop-up duty behind Warner. Warner started 16 games and took the Cardinals to their first ever Super Bowl, cementing his status as starter and Leinart's status as a backup. For the 2008 season, he completed 15 of 29 passing attempts (51.7%), one touchdown, one interception, and an 80.2 passer rating. In 2009, Leinart continued his role as back-up for Warner, who started all but one regular season game.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}

In 2010, Leinart was named the presumptive starter after Warner's retirement. However, due to poor play, the starting job in training camp was given to ]. The Cardinals released Leinart on September 4, two days after the final preseason game, in favor of Anderson and rookies ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2010 |title=Cardinals decide to release quarterback Leinart |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5531595 |access-date=June 28, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

===Houston Texans===
On September 6, 2010, the NFL announced that Leinart signed a one-year contract to back up ] with the ]. Since Schaub played all 16 games, Leinart did not play during the 2010 season. During the 2011 offseason, despite speculation that he would sign with the ], who were coached by Leinart's college coach Pete Carroll, and compete for a starting job,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mortensen |first1=Chris |last2=Schefter |first2=Adam |last3=Clayton |first3=John |last4=Sando |first4=Mike |date=July 27, 2011 |title=Matt Hasselbeck leaving Seattle Seahawks; Tarvaris Jackson agrees to deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/6804275/matt-hasselbeck-leaving-seattle-seahawks-tarvaris-jackson-matt-leinart-agree-sources-say?campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines |access-date=October 4, 2012 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Floyd |first=Brian |date=July 26, 2011 |title=NFL Free Agency: Matt Leinart Still An Option For Seattle Seahawks – SB Nation Seattle |url=http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/7/26/2295861/nfl-free-agency-matt-leinart-seattle-seahawks-tarvaris-jackson |access-date=October 4, 2012 |website=SBNation.com}}</ref> Leinart ultimately agreed to return to Houston as a backup for the 2011 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oshan |first=Jeremiah |date=July 27, 2011 |title=Matt Leinart Signs With Texans, After Reportedly Signing With Seahawks |url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/7/27/2298018/matt-leinart-signs-texans-seahawks-nfl-free-agency |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=SBNation.com |language=en}}</ref> In Week 10, Schaub injured his right foot and the Texans named Leinart their starter. Leinart started for the first time in Week 12 against the ]; however, during the first half he fractured his collarbone and was replaced by rookie quarterback ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smits |first=Garry |date=November 27, 2011 |title=Texans shrug off adversity of Matt Leinart injury in victory |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2011/11/28/texans-shrug-adversity-matt-leinart-injury-victory/15882822007/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=The Florida Times-Union |language=en-US}}</ref> At this point in his career, Leinart already suffered three season-ending injuries (2006, 2007, 2011) within his last eight starts.

On March 12, 2012, Leinart was released by the Texans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=John |date=March 12, 2012 |title=Texans' Leinart, Winston say they've been cut |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7678248 |access-date=June 28, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Oakland Raiders===
Leinart signed with the ] on May 1, 2012, as a backup to his former college teammate and fellow Heisman winner ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2012 |title=Raiders sign QB Leinart to back up Palmer |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nfl/story/_/id/7879244/oakland-raiders-sign-matt-leinart-back-carson-palmer |access-date=June 28, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> After Palmer suffered an injury in Week 16, Leinart and ] split first-team reps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Copeland |first=Kareem |date=December 26, 2012 |title=Oakland Raiders' Terrelle Pryor, Matt Leinart split reps |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/matt-leinart-terrelle-pryor-split-oakland-raiders-reps-0ap1000000117351 |access-date=December 26, 2012 |website=]}}</ref> Pryor ended up getting the start in Week 17 and Leinart was not re-signed by the Raiders the following offseason.

===Buffalo Bills===
After injuries to quarterbacks ] (knee surgery) and ] (concussion), the Bills decided to sign Leinart on August 25, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelissero |first=Tom |date=August 25, 2013 |title=Bills sign QB Matt Leinart, trade for Thaddeus Lewis |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bills/2013/08/25/quarterback-matt-leinart-contract-bills-ej-manuel-kevin-kolb/2697339/ |access-date=August 25, 2013 |website=]}}</ref> Leinart and ] (who was brought in on the same day through a trade) would compete for the fourth-string quarterback job behind undrafted rookie ]. Lewis won the competition, and Leinart was released by the team on August 30, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=August 30, 2013 |title=Matt Leinart released by Buffalo Bills after five days |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/matt-leinart-released-by-buffalo-bills-after-five-days-0ap1000000236419 |access-date=August 30, 2013 |website=]}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="3"| Games
! colspan="8"| Passing
! colspan="4"| Rushing
|-
! GP !! GS !! Record !! Comp !! Att !! Pct !! Yards !! Avg !! TD !! Int !! Rtg !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! TD
|-
! ] || ]
| 12 || 11 || 4–7 || 214 || 377 || 56.8 || 2,547 || 6.8 || 11 || 12 || 74.0 || 22 || 49 || 2.2 || 2
|-
! ] || ]
| 5 || 5 || 3–2 || 60 || 112 || 53.6 || 647 || 5.8 || 2 || 4 || 61.9 || 11 || 42 || 3.8 || 0
|-
! ] || ]
| 4 || 0 || – || 15 || 29 || 51.7 || 264 || 9.1 || 1 || 1 || 80.2 || 4 || 5 || 1.3 || 0
|-
! ] || ]
| 8 || 1 || 0–1 || 51 || 77 || 66.2 || 435 || 5.6 || 0 || 3 || 64.6 || 9 || −6 || −0.7 || 0
|-
! ] || ]
| 0 || 0 || – || colspan="12"| {{abbr|DNP|Did not play}}
|-
! ] || ]
| 2 || 1 || 1–0 || 10 || 13 || 76.9 || 57 || 4.4 || 1 || 0 || 110.1 || 1 || −1 || −1.0 || 0
|-
! ] || ]
| 2 || 0 || – || 16 || 33 || 48.5 || 115 || 3.5 || 0 || 1 || 44.4 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| || 33 || 18 || 8–10 || 366 || 641 || 57.1 || 4,065 || 6.3 || 15 || 21 || 70.2 || 47 || 89 || 1.9 || 2
|}

==Personal life==
Leinart has a son with Brynn Cameron, a former USC women's basketball player.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingrassia |first=Lisa |date=October 25, 2006 |title=Matt Leinart, Brynn Cameron Have a Son |url=https://people.com/celebrity/matt-leinart-brynn-cameron-have-a-son/ |access-date=August 10, 2018 |website=People}}</ref> The couple split before their son's birth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2007 |title=Update: Matt Leinart and Brynn Cameron reach custody deal |url=https://people.com/parents/matt-leinart-an/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=People Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Witz |first=Billy |date=March 12, 2009 |title=U.S.C.'s Cameron Balances Basketball and Motherhood |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/sports/ncaabasketball/13usc.html?_r=1 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

His mother was Linda (née Primak) and his father is Bob Leinart.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In May 2018, Leinart married '']'' and '']'' actress ] at the ] in ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Karla |date=May 28, 2018 |title=Former NFL Quarterback Matt Leinart Marries Actress Josie Loren |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/nfl-quarterback-matt-leinart-marries-actress-josie-loren/ |access-date=June 16, 2018 |website=]}}</ref> In January 2020, Loren gave birth to Leinart's second son. In May 2021, Loren had his third son.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gissen |first=Lillie |date=March 30, 2020 |title=Investigating:'Make It Or Break It' Cast: Where Are They Now? |url=https://www.j-14.com/posts/what-is-make-it-or-break-it-cast-doing-where-are-they-now/ |access-date=June 17, 2020 |website=]}}</ref>

As of January 2023, Leinart is an analyst on ] for ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Leinart: College Football Studio Analyst |url=https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/bios/on-air/matt-leinart/ |access-date=January 11, 2023 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
*]
* ]


==Notes and references==
{{start box}}
{{Notelist}}
{{succession box | title=] Winner <br> 2004 | before=] | after=] | years=}}
{{end box}} {{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*
*
* {{Heisman|matt-leinart}}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=matt-leinart-2 |espn=9596 |cbs= |yahoo=7759 |fox= |si= |pfr=LeinMa00 |rotoworld= }}
* {{IMDb name|2019470}}


{{USC Trojans quarterback navbox}}
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{{Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback navbox}}
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{{Houston Texans starting quarterback navbox}}
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{{Navboxes| title = Matt Leinart —championships, awards, and honors| list1 =
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] {{2003 USC Trojans football navbox}}
{{2004 USC Trojans football navbox}}
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{{2004 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Heisman Winners}}
{{Walter Camp Award}}
{{AP Players of the Year}}
{{Pac-12 Player of the Year}}
{{Johnny Unitas Award winners}}
{{Manning Award}}
{{SN Sportsman of the Year}}
{{2006 NFL Draft}}
{{CardinalsFirstPick}}
{{Cardinals2006DraftPicks}}
}}


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Revision as of 04:05, 21 December 2024

American football player (born 1983)

American football player
Matt Leinart
refer to captionLeinart in 2023
No. 7, 11
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1983-05-11) May 11, 1983 (age 41)
Santa Ana, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
College:USC (2001–2005)
NFL draft:2006 / round: 1 / pick: 10
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Passing attempts:641
Passing completions:366
Completion percentage:57.1%
TD–INT:15–21
Passing yards:4,065
Passer rating:70.2
Rushing yards:89
Rushing touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference
College Football Hall of Fame

Matthew Stephen Leinart (born May 11, 1983) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. He played college football for the USC Trojans, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led his team to an undefeated season as a junior. Selected tenth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2006 NFL draft, Leinart primarily served as Kurt Warner's backup for four seasons. He spent his final three seasons in a backup role for the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders. Leinart was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Early life

Leinart was born in Santa Ana, California with strabismus (commonly known as "crossed eyes"); his left eye was not aligned correctly with his right. He underwent surgery when he was three years old and was fitted with special glasses to correct the problem, but the eyewear combined with Leinart's already-overweight frame made him an easy target for other children's ridicule. "I used to get made fun of for being cross-eyed. It's just a terrible thing because kids are so cruel to the fat kid, to the kid with the glasses. So I turned to sports," he would later say.

Leinart attended Mater Dei High School and was a letterman in football and basketball. As a junior, he led his team to a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division I co-championship and was named the Serra League's Offensive Most Valuable Player. Wearing number 7, he was chosen as the Gatorade California high school football player of the year.

As one of the nation's top college football recruits, Leinart committed to USC under coach Paul Hackett, noting that a major factor was offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. However, after Hackett and most of his staff were fired in 2000, Leinart considered other programs such as Georgia Tech and Arizona State, and visited Oklahoma and Michigan before USC eventually hired Pete Carroll.

College career

2001–2003 seasons

Leinart attended the University of Southern California, where he played for coach Pete Carroll's USC Trojans football team from 2001 to 2005. He redshirted in 2001. As a freshman the next year, he understudied senior quarterback Carson Palmer, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy and was drafted first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2003 NFL draft. Leinart appeared in only a few plays in 2002 but did not throw any passes. As a sophomore in 2003, Leinart competed with redshirt junior Matt Cassel, who was Palmer's backup the previous season, and Purdue transfer Brandon Hance for the vacant starting quarterback position. Going into the season, Carroll and his coaching staff selected Leinart, not because he had set himself significantly ahead of the pack in practice, but because they had to pick one of the three as the starting quarterback.

When the coaching staff told Leinart he would be the starter, he replied, "You're never going to regret this." There was some thought in the press that Leinart would merely hold the starting position until highly touted true freshman John David Booty, who had bypassed his senior year in high school to attend USC, could learn the offense.

Leinart's first career pass was a touchdown against Auburn in a 23–0 victory in the season opener. He won the first three games of his career before the then-#3 Trojans suffered a 34–31 triple-overtime defeat to California on September 27 that dropped the Trojans to #10. Leinart and the Trojans bounced back the next week against Arizona State. Leinart injured his knee in the second quarter and was not expected to play again that day, but he returned to the game and finished 13-of-23 for 289 yards in a 37–17 victory.

Leinart and the Trojans won their final eight games and finished the regular season 11–1 and ranked No. 1 in the AP and coaches' polls. However, USC was left out of the BCS championship game after finishing third in the BCS behind Oklahoma and LSU. The Trojans went to the Rose Bowl and played the University of Michigan. Leinart was named the Rose Bowl MVP after he went 23-of-34 for 327 yards, throwing three touchdowns and catching a touchdown of his own from wide receiver Mike Williams. In 13 starts, Leinart was 255 for 402 for 3,556 yards, 38 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He finished sixth in the Heisman voting. He was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.

In recognition of his Rose Bowl accomplishments, Leinart was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2019.

2004 season

The Trojans started Leinart's junior season (2004) with victories in their first three games. On September 25, the Trojans played Stanford. After Stanford took a 28–17 halftime lead, Leinart sparked the offense with a 51-yard pass to Steve Smith and scored on a one-yard sneak to cut the Cardinal lead to four points. Leinart and the Trojans were able to take the lead on a LenDale White rushing touchdown and held on for the victory, 31–28. Leinart completed 24 of 30 passes. Leinart finished the final regular season game against UCLA, but was held without a touchdown pass for the first time in 25 starts. Nonetheless, Leinart was invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony, along with teammate Reggie Bush, Oklahoma's freshman running back sensation Adrian Peterson, quarterback and incumbent Heisman winner Jason White, and Utah's quarterback Alex Smith. In what many had considered one of the more competitive Heisman races, Leinart became the sixth USC player to claim the Heisman Trophy.

Leinart with his Heisman Trophy in 2005

In 2004, USC went wire-to-wire at No. 1 in the polls and earned a bid to the BCS title game at the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma, which was also 12–0. A dream matchup on paper (including White vs. Leinart, which was to be the first time two Heisman winners would play against each other), the Orange Bowl turned out to be a rout, as Leinart threw for five touchdown passes on 18-for-35 passing and 332 yards to lead the Trojans to a 55–19 victory. Leinart received Orange Bowl MVP honors and the Trojans claimed their first BCS National Championship and second straight No. 1 finish in the AP, extending their winning streak to 22 games. This victory and BCS championship were later vacated as a result of the Reggie Bush scandal (though the AP national championship still stands). He won Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season but shared it with Reggie Bush.

2005 season

Against Notre Dame, Leinart threw for a career-high 400 yards. After an incomplete pass and a sack led to a fourth-and-nine situation with 1:36 left—at the Trojans' own 26-yard line, Leinart called an audible "slant and go" route at the line of scrimmage and threw deep against the Irish's man-to-man coverage, where Dwayne Jarrett caught the ball and raced to the Irish' 13-yard line, a 61-yard gain. Leinart moved the ball to the goal line as time dwindled and scored on a quarterback sneak that gave the Trojans a 34–31 lead with three seconds to go, giving the Trojans their 28th straight victory and one of the most memorable and dramatic finishes in the history of the Notre Dame–USC rivalry.

The 2005 Trojans again had a perfect 12–0 regular season. Leinart was again invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony along with teammate Reggie Bush and Texas quarterback Vince Young. As a former Heisman winner, Leinart cast his first-place vote for Bush, and ended up third in the voting behind Bush and runner-up Young.

The Trojans advanced to the Rose Bowl to face Vince Young and #2 Texas in the BCS title game. The title game was considered another "dream matchup". Leinart completed 29 of 40 passes for a touchdown and 365 yards, but was overshadowed by Young, who piled up 467 yards of total offense and rushed for three touchdowns, including a score with 19 seconds remaining and two-point conversion to put the Longhorns ahead, 41–38. The Trojans lost for the first time in 35 games, and Leinart for just the second time in his 39 career starts. After graduation, Leinart's #11 jersey was retired at USC.

Leinart finished his college career with 807 completions on 1,245 attempts (64.8% completion percentage) for 10,693 yards, 99 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. At the time of his departure, he was USC's all-time leader in career touchdown passes and completion percentage, and was second at USC behind Carson Palmer in completions and yardage. He averaged nearly 8.6 yards per attempt, and averaged only one interception every 54 attempts. He was 37–2 as a starter.

College statistics

USC Trojans
Season Team GP GS Passing Rushing
Cmp Att Pct Yds TD Int Rtg Att Yds TD
2001 USC Trojans Redshirted
2002 USC Trojans 3 0 – – – – – – – – – –
2003 USC Trojans 13 13 255 402 63.4 3,556 38 9 164.5 32 −62 0
2004 USC Trojans 13 13 269 412 65.3 3,322 33 6 156.5 49 −44 3
2005 USC Trojans 13 13 283 431 65.7 3,815 28 8 157.7 51 36 6
Total 42 39 807 1,245 64.8 10,693 99 23 159.5 132 −70 9

Honors

2004

2005

  • Orange Bowl MVP
  • Unitas Award
  • Finalist for Heisman Trophy
  • All-American Offensive Player
  • LA Sports Sportsman of the Year
  • Sporting News Sportsman of the Year

Professional career

Pre-draft

Projected to be the first overall pick of the 2005 NFL draft, Leinart's draft stock decreased after he chose to return to USC for his senior season. Nonetheless, he remained one of the top prospects in the 2006 NFL draft. Scouts considered Leinart to be the archetypal NFL quarterback in size at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and 225 pounds (102 kg), although his arm strength drew concerns.

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash Vertical jump Broad jump Wonderlic
6 ft 4+7⁄8 in
(1.95 m) 		223 lb
(101 kg) 		33+1⁄2 in
(0.85 m) 		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 4.90 s 37 in
(0.94 m)		 9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)		 35
All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day

Arizona Cardinals

Leinart at a Cardinals practice

Leinart was selected tenth overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Leinart was the draft's second-highest selected quarterback after Vince Young, who defeated Leinart's team in the Rose Bowl.

Leinart spent four seasons with the Cardinals, primarily as a backup for veteran Kurt Warner.

In his first season, after a contentious negotiation making him the last member of the draft to sign a contract, Leinart agreed to a six-year, $51 million contract on August 14. Leinart played in the second quarter of the exhibition game against the New England Patriots on August 19.

Cardinals head coach Dennis Green held a press conference after a poor performance by Warner in Week 3 and announced Leinart would start. He made his debut in the fourth game of the season, throwing two touchdown passes.

In Week 6 against the 5–0 Chicago Bears, Leinart threw two touchdown passes in the first half, but the Bears came back in the second half to win 24–23.

In a November 26 game against the Minnesota Vikings, Leinart set a then-NFL rookie record with 405 passing yards, but only produced a quarterback rating of 74.0 as the team ultimately lost. He suffered a sprained left shoulder (throwing arm) in the Week 16 win over the San Francisco 49ers. In 11 starts, Leinart threw for 2,547 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He finished the season with a 4–7 record.

Leinart opened the 2007 season on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers as the starting quarterback. After a sequence of drives, the offense stalled, which led new head coach Ken Whisenhunt to begin inserting Warner as a situational quarterback. On October 7, 2007, Leinart suffered a fractured left collarbone after being sacked by St. Louis Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon. Three days later, he was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. In his first two NFL seasons, Leinart had suffered two season-ending injuries, both due to being sacked. With Warner at the helm for the remainder of the season, the Cardinals mounted a late-season surge and won five of their final eight games.

In Leinart's second season with Arizona, he started five games, completed 53.6% of his passes (60/112), and threw for 647 yards, 5.8 yards per attempt, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. His passer rating was 61.9. He averaged 129 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per start. In the 2008 offseason, after he recovered from the injury, Leinart was handed his starting job back. Still, his hold on the job was tenuous after another strong training camp performance by Warner. Finally, after Leinart threw three interceptions within a matter of minutes versus the Oakland Raiders in the third preseason game, Warner was named the opening-day starter. Leinart picked up only a limited number of snaps in mop-up duty behind Warner. Warner started 16 games and took the Cardinals to their first ever Super Bowl, cementing his status as starter and Leinart's status as a backup. For the 2008 season, he completed 15 of 29 passing attempts (51.7%), one touchdown, one interception, and an 80.2 passer rating. In 2009, Leinart continued his role as back-up for Warner, who started all but one regular season game.

In 2010, Leinart was named the presumptive starter after Warner's retirement. However, due to poor play, the starting job in training camp was given to Derek Anderson. The Cardinals released Leinart on September 4, two days after the final preseason game, in favor of Anderson and rookies Max Hall and John Skelton.

Houston Texans

On September 6, 2010, the NFL announced that Leinart signed a one-year contract to back up Matt Schaub with the Houston Texans. Since Schaub played all 16 games, Leinart did not play during the 2010 season. During the 2011 offseason, despite speculation that he would sign with the Seattle Seahawks, who were coached by Leinart's college coach Pete Carroll, and compete for a starting job, Leinart ultimately agreed to return to Houston as a backup for the 2011 season. In Week 10, Schaub injured his right foot and the Texans named Leinart their starter. Leinart started for the first time in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars; however, during the first half he fractured his collarbone and was replaced by rookie quarterback T. J. Yates. At this point in his career, Leinart already suffered three season-ending injuries (2006, 2007, 2011) within his last eight starts.

On March 12, 2012, Leinart was released by the Texans.

Oakland Raiders

Leinart signed with the Oakland Raiders on May 1, 2012, as a backup to his former college teammate and fellow Heisman winner Carson Palmer. After Palmer suffered an injury in Week 16, Leinart and Terrelle Pryor split first-team reps. Pryor ended up getting the start in Week 17 and Leinart was not re-signed by the Raiders the following offseason.

Buffalo Bills

After injuries to quarterbacks EJ Manuel (knee surgery) and Kevin Kolb (concussion), the Bills decided to sign Leinart on August 25, 2013. Leinart and Thad Lewis (who was brought in on the same day through a trade) would compete for the fourth-string quarterback job behind undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel. Lewis won the competition, and Leinart was released by the team on August 30, 2013.

NFL career statistics

Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Comp Att Pct Yards Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2006 ARI 12 11 4–7 214 377 56.8 2,547 6.8 11 12 74.0 22 49 2.2 2
2007 ARI 5 5 3–2 60 112 53.6 647 5.8 2 4 61.9 11 42 3.8 0
2008 ARI 4 0 – 15 29 51.7 264 9.1 1 1 80.2 4 5 1.3 0
2009 ARI 8 1 0–1 51 77 66.2 435 5.6 0 3 64.6 9 −6 −0.7 0
2010 HOU 0 0 – DNP
2011 HOU 2 1 1–0 10 13 76.9 57 4.4 1 0 110.1 1 −1 −1.0 0
2012 OAK 2 0 – 16 33 48.5 115 3.5 0 1 44.4 0 0 0.0 0
Total 33 18 8–10 366 641 57.1 4,065 6.3 15 21 70.2 47 89 1.9 2

Personal life

Leinart has a son with Brynn Cameron, a former USC women's basketball player. The couple split before their son's birth.

His mother was Linda (née Primak) and his father is Bob Leinart.

In May 2018, Leinart married Make It or Break It and The Mentalist actress Josie Loren at the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville, North Carolina. In January 2020, Loren gave birth to Leinart's second son. In May 2021, Loren had his third son.

As of January 2023, Leinart is an analyst on Big Noon Kickoff for Fox Sports 1.

See also

Notes and references

  1. The championship was later vacated by the BCS on June 6, 2011, following the imposition of sanctions by the NCAA, including vacation of games during the 2004 season
  2. Co-winner with Reggie Bush this season
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External links

USC Trojans starting quarterbacks
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Formerly the Chicago Cardinals (1920–1959), St. Louis Cardinals (1960–1987), and Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993)
Houston Texans starting quarterbacks
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