Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Putting the 'Man' in Heisman
()
The greatest weekend of college football in recent memory was built around a single epicenter – another legendary addition to the USC-Notre Dame rivalry.
USC’s victory over Notre Dame was lots of things. It was Reggie Bush’s rise to Heisman front-runner (sorry Vince, tearing up Colorado isn’t exactly on the same level), it was both teams rising up to the biggest challenge they’ll have all year and it was the first time a game of this magnitude has actually exceeded its hype.
More than anything else, it was one man dropping the H-E-I-S and proving to be more than a quarterback or a leader. In the closing minutes of the game, Matt Leinart was a man.
Support for LAist comes from
Even the greatest players struggle, but the ones who overcome when their teams need them the most are remembered as legends, and on USC’s final drive Leinart definitely rose to the challenge, and then some.
Beaten up and unable to compete a meaningful pass all game, Leinart came to life with a huge completion to Dwayne Jarrett and an Elway-esque set of efforts to will his team into the end zone.
Throughout the season, and especially in the past week of hype and buildup, Leinart has flown under the radar, an impressive task for a Heisman Trophy winner. Coverage of USC became more homogenous as the season progressed. Reggie is awesome, White is just as awesome and unappreciated, they’re a second half team and the defense needs work.
Underneath all that, Leinart stood alone, doing his job every week and having a good time along the way. After all, that’s why he returned to school, right? Why leave a great situation for some money if you’re enjoying yourself and the money will be there anyway?
As Leinart spun into the endzone, center Ryan Kalil embraced him, primarily to celebrate but perhaps also to keep him on his feet. When the final seconds ran out, the press surrounded him as a glazed over look in his eyes made you understand the meaning of “leaving it all out on the field.”
“We don’t know how to lose,” Leinart said to reporters as he marched off the field and the Fighting Irish fans in South Bend wondered how exactly USC managed to win, but the answer was right in front of them.
A Heisman-winning quarterback proving himself to the entire country. Sure, it’s not something you see every day and there’s no reason he should have to prove anything, but in a game of this magnitude, everybody’s got something to live up to.
Support for LAist comes from
For Leinart, it’s his legacy, currently in progress.
Written by Alex Delanian.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist