Matt Leinart Retires After Learning He’d Have to Play Next Game

The only person more upset than Matt Schaub to learn about his season-ending foot injury was his backup quarterback, Matt Leinart.

“I purposely signed with the Texans knowing I wouldn’t have to play,” said Leinart, who didn’t take a single snap in 2010.

The former Heisman Trophy winner has been a huge bust since being drafted by Arizona, where he spent four interception-filled seasons before being released. Houston signed him to a minimum-salary contract the following year to back up the durable Schaub.

“The Houston Texans had no other choice but to name me the starter for the rest of the season,” Leinart tearfully announced at a press conference in Glendale, Arizona today. “Instead of embarrassing myself any further, I’ve decided to retire, effective immediately.”