Former USC Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart has not thrown a football in an NFL game since he was a 29-year-old backup quarterback for the Raiders in 2012, but that doesn’t mean the now 37-year-old broadcaster for FS1 isn’t still itching to get back on the field.
On Thursday afternoon, Leinart tweeted “I want to play in the @xfl2020” before tagging @TheRock, the Twitter handle for actor and former wrestler Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who recently helped purchase the now-defunct XFL for $15 million, just before it went to auction.
I want to play in the @xfl2020 @TheRock
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) August 6, 2020
The XFL found success in their first season after returning from a 19-year hiatus, but the COVID-19 pandemic ended up cancelling their season after just five games – and a lack of financial savings forced owner Vince McMahon to fold the league.
While it looks on the surface like the 2020 version of the XFL went the same as it did in 2001, folding after one year, this version seemed to gain some traction, thanks to new rules, increased interaction with fans, and of course the attempt to get some big name former college and NFL players to suit up.
Leinart may be far removed from his actual playing days, and who knows how serious he is about suiting up if and when the XFL gets going again, but you can bet it would bring in a lot of viewers if he gave it another shot – and for a league that needs some fans, this could be a great recipe for success.
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