Matt Leinart Refusing To Let USC Unretire His No. 11 Jersey

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Matt Leinart's No. 11 jersey remains retired at the University of Southern California.

The national title-winning quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner is one of the best players in program history. Leinart, who went on to have a brief career in the National Football League, is now an analyst for Fox Sports. He works for FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff."

Leinart also hosts a podcast. He said recently on his Throwbacks Podcast that USC has come to him in the past about unretiring his No. 11 jersey.

His response: no way.

Leinart remains in awe of his honor.

“When I was at USC, I got my number retired,” Leinart said. “You win the Heisman Trophy, automatic retired number, which is pretty cool. So, our jerseys are hanging in the Coliseum on one side.”

But USC has come to him in the past about unretiring his jersey. He's said no.

“There’s been multiple times where people at USC have asked me if I would unretire 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 fucking not.’ I am never going to unretire my jersey for some random dude who by the way now could wear No. 11 and transfer after a year.”

Leinart admitted that he would make two exceptions:

• If his son, Cole Leinart, a freshman quarterback at SMU, transferred into USC
• If one of his two younger sons wanted to play at USC

But that's it.

“The only person that will ever wear my USC No. 11 would be Cole, who’s not there right now. He’s at SMU. Or two of my boys if they end up going to USC and playing football. That is it,” Leinart said.

It's not about money, either.

“Absolutely not. Would never do it,” Leinart said. “It’s not for sale.”

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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