Former USC QB Matt Leinart upsets many fans with 4th of July photo

Did Matt Leinart advertise his political allegiance by posting a 4th of July photo of himself with Texas Senator Ted Cruz on Twitter/X? Many college football fans thought so and did not hesitate to express discontent.

"You already sucked but this puts you over the top"

"USC’s fall from grace continues"

"Just lost all respect."

Some might argue Leinart's social media post was an innocent show of him with another public figure. I don't buy such an excuse because I don't believe the former Trojan quarterback is that naive. Leinart knows who Cruz is and what the Republican senator represents.

Indeed, Leinart was possibly publicizing his political ideology, ideals that don't jive with college football fans from a blue state. Either way, showing himself with a slimy Capitol Hill headliner was wrong. The Trojans alum is at no risk of getting "canceled" or fired by Fox Sports (who employ Clay Travis) for his political views, but his actions are potentially hurtful to USC fans who are women, victims of gun violence or of Mexican decent.

Spare us the "keep politics out of sports" crow.

Old-head fans who crow about keeping politics out of sports are out of bounds. Politics and sports have been and will remain connected within the realm. Politics and sports always surround the Olympic games. In the United States, politics has affected sports since professional ball players were called to war. U.S. Presidents throw out first pitches, and military flyovers are customary before marquee games.

In recent years, social issues have encroached on college and pro sports, to the dismay of many fans. Social issues and politics have a reciprocating relationship but are not the same. Social issues affect everyone in society, including athletes and their families. Thus, it is now standard practice for many high-profile athletes to use their platforms to advocate for civil rights and protest social injustices.

Leinart is free to associate with hypocritical politicians who peddle hate speech and advocate for racist legislation. However, the former Heisman Trophy winner was wrong to parade his association with Cruz on social media.