Matt Leinart Biography

Birthdate: May 11, 1983
Birthplace: Santa Ana, California

After a storybook career at USC, Matt Leinart is now the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. Get the low down on this risin' superstar, who just wrapped up his rookie season.

Matt Leinart - Growing Up

For Matt Leinart, the road to superstardom started off slow. At the age of three, Matt underwent surgery for strabismus, an eye disorder that causes cross-eyes. Matt was also overweight as a child. His physical frame, along with his specialty eye-glasses, made him the target of bullies growing up. Although they hurt his feelings at the time, Matt still got the last laugh. Matt became an All-American quarterback at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California .

Matt Leinart - Dominating at USC

Being a big-time high school quarterback, expectations were sky-high for the 6'5" Leinart when he arrived on USC's campus in the fall of 2001. He didn't disappoint. In his four year career, Matt posted an astonishing 37-2 record as a starter. Add two National Championships, numerous records and a Heisman Trophy Award, and Matt had himself a near perfect collegiate career.

Matt Leinart - The Rookie

Matt was the tenth pick of the 2005 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Arizona Cardinals. His rookie year was filled with a lot of up and downs. While the Cardinals finished a disappointing 4-7, Matt Leinart set a rookie record with 405 passing yards in a loss against the Minnesota Vikings.

Matt Leinart - Touchdowns and Tabloids

When Matt was a senior at USC, he got just as much attention off the field as he did on the field. Regarded as the best college quarterback in the country, Matt Leinart was another big star in a city full of celebrities. He reportedly dated Paris Hilton and Kristen Cavallari from MTV's Laguna Beach. Matt also appeared on MTV's Punk'd and was named as one of People Magazine's Most Beautiful People of 2006.

Matt Leinart - Did U Know?

On October 24, 2006, Matt and girlfriend Brynn Cameron welcomed baby boy Cole Cameron Leinart. Brynn Cameron was a member of the USC women's basketball squad.

Matt stays loyal to his Southern California teams. He is an avid LA Dodgers, LA Lakers and of course, USC fan.

His favorite book is the 1962 classic To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Matt is a southpaw, which means he is left-handed.

Matt Leinart wears the number seven, which is the number he wore in high school. At USC, Matt wore the number 11.

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