Matt Leinart

Lore & Background

Leinart was born in Santa Ana, California, with strabismus; 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. He attended Mater Dei High School, where he led his team to a CIF Division I co-championship and was named Gatorade California high school football player of the year. He committed to USC under coach Paul Hackett, but after Hackett was fired, he considered other programs before USC hired Pete Carroll.

Leinart redshirted in 2001, understudied Carson Palmer in 2002, and became the starter in 2003. He led USC to a perfect 12–0 regular season in 2004 and won the Heisman Trophy. In the 2005 Orange Bowl (BCS title game), he threw five touchdown passes to lead USC to a 55–19 victory over Oklahoma. The Trojans' BCS championship was later vacated due to the Reggie Bush scandal, though the AP national championship still stands.

Leinart finished his college career with 10,693 yards, 99 touchdowns, and a 37–2 record as a starter. He was selected 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2006 NFL draft.

Early Life and High School Foundations

Matthew Stephen Leinart was born on May 11, 1983, in Santa Ana, California. He had strabismus, requiring surgery at age three and special glasses that, combined with his overweight frame, made him a target for ridicule. He attended Mater Dei High School, earning letters in football and basketball. As a junior, he led his team to a CIF Division I co-championship, was named the Serra League's Offensive MVP, and was selected as the Gatorade California high school football player of the year.

College Career and Heisman Glory

Leinart attended USC from 2001 to 2005 under coach Pete Carroll. After redshirting in 2001 and understudying Carson Palmer as a freshman, he won the starting job in 2003 over Matt Cassel and Brandon Hance. He finished his junior year (2004) with a perfect season, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading USC to a 55–19 victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl for the BCS National Championship. In 2005, he threw for a career-high 400 yards against Notre Dame but lost the Rose Bowl to Texas. He finished his college career with 807 completions on 1,245 attempts for 10,693 yards and 99 touchdowns.

Professional NFL Trajectory

Selected 10th overall in the 2006 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Leinart signed a six-year, $51 million contract on August 14. He made his debut in the fourth game of the season, throwing two touchdown passes. He spent four seasons with the Cardinals primarily as Kurt Warner's backup. He played his final three NFL seasons in a backup role for the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders.

Legacy and Hall of Fame Recognition

Leinart was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017. In recognition of his Rose Bowl accomplishments, he was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2019. His #11 jersey was retired at USC after graduation.