Saturday, July 22, 2006

Matt Leinart works out at my gym!



Matt Leinart, the Heisman Trophy winner of the 2004-2005 football season and award winning Quarterback for the USC Trojans, works out at our gym in Tempe, Arizona. Alicia and I have seen him twice at the gym in the last couple of weeks. The first time I thought it was a fluke...maybe his gym was under repair or he just happened to be in the area for the evening and wanted to work out. Then, Thursday night we saw him for a second time. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, so it makes sense he would be in the area, but you would think he would live in Scottsdale and maybe even have his own home gym.

Why does everyone pretend that Matt doesn't exist? Everyone, including myself, just tries to ignore the fact that one of the greatest college QBs is running on the treadmill next to you, or waiting behind you for a drink out of the water fountain. Maybe it is just out of respect for the man, knowing that he doesn't want to be bothered during his workout. I think Matt is lucky that he is not being bothered with autograph requests and such....although now my mind is running wild thinking of rookie football cards with Matt's signature and how much they could be worth in 20 years! :)

Matt sure doesn't act like he's grateful for the respect we show him by not bothering him or talking to him. He walks around the gym with his head down and does not make any eye contact whatsoever with anyone. I was doing lunges and he thought his weights were in my way so he said, "Sorry man" so I thought that was nice of him. But during my rest between sets I said, "how's it goin" and he didn't even look at me, said "fine" and turned and walked away. I guess I can't say I blame him...I'm sure he doesn't want the hype of stardom and wants to live a normal life as much as possible, but I wonder, how normal is a life of lowering your head and not making eye contact or being cordial to anyone. Maybe that's normal to Matt, but it's not to me.