'I was so embarrassed': Heisman winner Matt Leinart opens up about the game that broke him before walking away from NFL
When you think of college football superstars, Matt Leinart comes to mind. He owned the Heisman Trophy in 2004 and promptly in large part helped the University of Southern California win a couple of national championships.
However, his NFL experience didn't go quite that way. Matt Leinart took the step of entering the 2006 NFL draft highly regarded, yet, it just didn't happen. Most will just remember him as an Arizona Cardinals quarterback. What many forget is how his football journey ended in 2013. Matt Leinart recently shared the painful moment he knew his career was over and it happened far away from the spotlight, in a preseason game with the Buffalo Bills.
Matt Leinart calls final game with Buffalo Bills 'Embarrassing'
On a Throwbacks Podcast on June 20, 2025, former NFL quarterback Matt Leinart revealed the last time he played football. It was August 29, 2013 against the Detroit Lions, the Buffalo Bills' last preseason game. The Buffalo Bills lost 35-13. Matt Leinart was signed just days before after injuries hit the Buffalo Bills' quarterback group.
Matt Leinart said he felt broken standing on the sideline that night. 'I stood there like someone had died,' he said.
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'I kept my helmet on the whole time so no one could see my face. I was so embarrassed. I knew it was my last time on a football field.' He ended the game with only 3 rushing completions on 10 passes and 2 interceptions.
Although he had played with the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Las Vegas Raiders, this game with the Buffalo Bills would be the end of his NFL career.
Matt Leinart reflects on his career and what happened after
Matt Leinart was taken by the Arizona Cardinals as the 10th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft.
Although he started with some excitement to his career, too often he was unable to show that he could be one of the top NFL quarterbacks. After playing seven seasons in the NFL, Matt Leinart officially retired from the NFL at age 30.
Today, he is a college football analyst for FOX Sports. Although the NFL didn't end the way that he would've liked, fans will always cherish his quaint college experience at USC.
Matt Leinart described his NFL days as hard, a seldom easy road, particularly for a guy who won the Heisman trophy.
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