College Football Fans Praising Matt Leinart For Retired Jersey Move

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Matt Leinart won't give up immortality and let USC put his No. 11 back into circulation.

USC retired Leinart's number along with those of the football program's other Heisman Trophy winners. The former All-American quarterback recently revealed on his Throwbacks podcast that the school has asked him if they can use No. 11 again, but he refused.

"There have been multiple times where people at USC have asked me if I would un-retire my jersey for some five-star prospect," Leinart said. "And do you want to know what I told those guys straight up? I said absolutely f****** not. I am never going to un-retire my jersey for some random dude who, by the way, now could wear number 11 and transfer after a year."

Leinart would only reconsider if one of his sons wanted to wear his old number for the Trojans. Cole Leinart, a quarterback in the high school class of 2026, committed to SMU in December.

The 42-year-old added that the number is "not for sale," even if a top recruit with a massive NIL deal offered him $1 million. He later confirmed on social media that USC hasn't requested his number recently, but he "politely declined" when they asked before.

"That kid, probably the chance of him staying at USC in two years is slim anyway," Leinart said. "So it ain't happening, bro. I'm keeping that up there forever. And you can call me selfish. I don't give a s***."

Fans applaud Leinart's decision

Most fans don't blame Leinart for wanting to keep his number retired. They don't see why he should have to give up the honor he earned by winning the Heisman in 2004.

"As he shouldn't," NFL podcaster Will Parkinson said. "He earned that jersey retirement. Guy laid blood sweat and tears in the ground with one of the best college careers ever full of awards and titles and dominance. Find another number to wear."

"Agree 10000% with Matt," a fan wrote. "He earned that honor over a fantastic college career. Not gonna hand that over to some coddled and spoiled 18-year-old."

"I love this," Travis Rockhold declared. "Wearing a retired number is earned. Being a high profile recruit doesn’t meet the requirement."

"Why should he want to agree with this?" Inside the Pylon asked. "If a recruit would not come to USC because of a jersey number then I say see ya later."

"Good for him," a fan said. "Kids these days don’t respect the legends that came before them."

This story was originally published by The Spun on Mar 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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