The Biggest Man on Any Campus ... Ever
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While most of your friends are slugging it out at 9-to-5 entry-level jobs, you're still at college, having the time of your life. As they fill out Excel spreadsheets, type up memos, and figure out the optimal time to sneak onto instant messenger, you're entertaining guests, courting freshmen girls, and debating between Dominos and Papa John's. Life's good when you are a fifth-year senior.
Now, toss in the fact that you are a Heisman Trophy winner, a good looking dude, and one of the most successful college athletes of all-time — that's pretty much the best situation any American male has ever had while pursuing a secondary education.
Yep, that's what Matt Leinart has going for him this year. In simple terms, he's about to embark upon the most amazing year of college that anyone — state-side or abroad — has ever had in the history of the world. Lucky guy.
In the past few years, the celebrity/athlete morphing process has reached new heights. Derek Jeter's every move off the field is charted by paparazzi, Dennis Rodman's love life is featured on The Insider, and even Jeff Garcia dates a Playboy Playmate of the Year. Professional athletes have become akin to Hollywood stars. Andy Roddick dates Mandy Moore, and Mandy Moore dates Vincent Chase. It's how it goes. The pro athlete and the big-screen idol have become interchangeable on the social scene.
What about the college athlete, though? Leinart's a true pioneer, a real-life Magellan. Never has a kid still taking Sociology 101 been such a visible force in the tabloids. In the past 12 months, the USC quarterback has been romantically linked to Jessica Simpson's personal assistant, Kristin from Laguna Beach, the point guard of the USC women's basketball team, and Alyssa Milano, who we'll always think of as Samantha Micelli from Who's the Boss. Hell, if he wanted, he could probably score Mona and Angela too. This is all from a guy who plays college football.
Leinart plays it cool, though. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, he did the whole humble "I'm a normal guy" routine. As a jealous on-looker from afar, I appreciate such a modest approach to the coolest life ever. With the shaggy hair and team-first attitude, Leinart comes across as likeable — a guy you'd enjoy getting a beer or watching the game with. That is, of course, unless you are a UCLA fan....
