When this photo of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, and other photos like it, surfaced at TheDirty.com, it seemed like the kind of story that would be picked up by blogs but ignored by the mainstream media and the football establishment.
Well, it wasn't. The photos have been all over ESPN, and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt spoke publicly about them on Tuesday, saying he was "disappointed" in Leinart.
But if Whisenhunt has no doubts about Leinart's commitment to the team, why does he care about these pictures? If the women in the above picture are 18 or older, he's not doing anything illegal or immoral. The real problem with Leinart is that he hasn't been a particularly good football player. If his partying contributes to that, Whisenhunt has every reason to be disappointed. If not, what's the big deal?"Matt called me Monday morning and we spoke for a while," Whisenhunt said in a statement from the NFL owners meetings in Florida.
"I reiterated to him the type of behavior that we expect at all times from our players. He understands that as well as the level of scrutiny that he's under because of who he is. It's being handled internally.
"I was disappointed but at the same time have no doubts about his commitment to this football team or his ability to lead it."
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 19)
1. Actually, there is illegal activity in the other photos. I'm pretty sure the girls are only 19 and Leinart feeding booze to the young coeds through a beer bong isn't exactly legal. GO IRISH!!!
Posted at 9:03AM on Apr 2nd 2008 by jswol54
2. face it! we're all just jealous it is not us in the hot tub with those 4 gorgeous girls.
Posted at 9:17AM on Apr 2nd 2008 by tom stovall III
3. Why the hell is this a story? I'm sure this goes on with professional athletes, rock stars, and politicians every day. Seriously the only reason this is a story is someone took his picture. God only knows what pictures we would have of Babe Ruth if the camera phone had been around back in the day.
Posted at 9:31AM on Apr 2nd 2008 by tom
4. Big deal.. The guy is in a hot tub with a few hotties.. Most of wish we where there.. His play is suspect so maybe he might want to keep it down to a dull roar..he could be like the dumb ass in Tampa who wa trying to take a leak on a dance floor.. Now thats a dumb a** ..Keep up the good work Matt. We all wish we where in that hot tub !!!!
Posted at 10:08AM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Sheck
5. drinking beer at 19 shame on you! Go to Iraq and get killed at 18. Thats ok. Get a life you right wing law loving creeps. Go Matt!!!
Posted at 11:05AM on Apr 2nd 2008 by fdavid
6. I do this twice a week what is the problem? Good clean fun?
Posted at 11:23AM on Apr 2nd 2008 by todd
7. Amen. Where's the Beef? Oh - right in front of our eyes? Go Matt - live our fantasies.
Posted at 11:41AM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Tom San Diego
8. I bet he was really committed to his "studies" at USC too. Dance 101, Partying 101, Breaking NCAA Rules and Getting away with it. The USC players received a PHD on that one!
Posted at 1:23PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by jmousso
9. I'm very disappointed that he only has 4 rockets in the hot tub. You would think a guy like that could pull 5 or 6.
Posted at 3:01PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by shnidr
10. Could be worse. Could be four young boys.
Posted at 3:47PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by miller
11. Go Buckeyes!!!
Posted at 3:58PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Jbyrd
12. Matt, you idiot, your a good looking guy with a lot of cash, so what are you doing in a hot tub with those ugly hides. For Christ's sake wake up and do some hot hides. Better do it quick because your an overatted QB, no more than a bench warmer at best.
Posted at 4:07PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by perfect timing
13. and i'll bet matt leinart is pretty disappointed to be on the arizona cardinals with a lame viagra-popping coach.
Posted at 4:23PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by dan marino
14. Wish those pictures were of you guys' daughters - all of you who think it is cool to be in the hot tub with the "young things". Go daughters! Daddy says it is ok!
Posted at 4:28PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Connie
15. The only thing that pisses me off is that they aren't playmates or porn stars..........Lucky dog...
Posted at 4:30PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by jshanahan
16. Oh please Ken..get over it. Unless it's written in his contract who he can and can't associate with, what is he doing wrong? You'd rather he be involved in drugs or maybe a drive-by..how about dog fighting ? And I agree with Stovall III, you are jealous. Hell, i'm jealous too !!!
Posted at 4:41PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by SoCalsBeth
17. I see noughting wrong. Get a life people!
Posted at 4:48PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by REGINA MARTIN
18. What just cause you play football you can't have fun.
Posted at 5:01PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Nate in INDY
19. Easy to spot a good young Democrat. If he were a Republican, there would be 4 young boys in the hot-tub.
Posted at 5:07PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Jim
20. What a freakin LOSER!!!!!
Posted at 5:17PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Matt