USC football legend Matt Leinart says spring season is a “terrible idea”

USC football great Matt Leinart made it clear he does not support playing football in the spring.

This week there has been extensive talk around the college football world about the possibility of playing games in the spring. Former USC football quarterback Matt Leinart has strong thoughts about that.

With the Ivy League postponing fall sports and programs facing increasing troubles with COVID-19 positive tests, Leinart made it clear he stands firmly in the “against” column.

“Spring football is an absolute terrible idea,” Leinart wrote on Twitter.

Why is Matt Leinart against USC football and others playing in spring?

Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times wondered out loud what Leinart takes issue with regarding the potential spring season. And Leinart obliged with an explanation.

“The affects of playing two ‘football seasons’ in one calendar year on these kids bodies would be catastrophic. No recovery time, bodies still growing. There would be great risk involved. You’d also have many players sitting out. The list goes on….” he responded.

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It’s an interesting debate that shouldn’t lose any steam as college football decision-makers struggle to figure out a way to play the season while balancing the safety of players.

Leinart’s argument focuses on safety. And it’s valid to a point worth exploring. It would be asking a lot for players to take the field for eight to 12 games of intense college football action from February to May then jump right back into another preseason by the start of August.

There is a solution to that issue, though it would still require players to put extra strain on their bodies than usual. The 2020 season could be played in the spring while the 2021 season is delayed later in the fall to allow for extra time between the two seasons. It could even be held in the winter. The 2022 season would reset the schedule back to normal.

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Moreover, shortening the campaign to include just conference games could put a limit on the number of months players are pushing their bodies to the limit.

As for players sitting out, that’s a reality likely outside of the control of college football whether the games are played this fall or next spring.