Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt Disappointed in Matt Leinart Photos

When this photo of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, and other photos like it, surfaced at TheDirty.com, it seemed like the kind of story that would be picked up by blogs but ignored by the mainstream media and the football establishment.

Well, it wasn't. The photos have been all over ESPN, and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt spoke publicly about them on Tuesday, saying he was "disappointed" in Leinart.

"Matt called me Monday morning and we spoke for a while," Whisenhunt said in a statement from the NFL owners meetings in Florida.

"I reiterated to him the type of behavior that we expect at all times from our players. He understands that as well as the level of scrutiny that he's under because of who he is. It's being handled internally.

"I was disappointed but at the same time have no doubts about his commitment to this football team or his ability to lead it."

But if Whisenhunt has no doubts about Leinart's commitment to the team, why does he care about these pictures? If the women in the above picture are 18 or older, he's not doing anything illegal or immoral. The real problem with Leinart is that he hasn't been a particularly good football player. If his partying contributes to that, Whisenhunt has every reason to be disappointed. If not, what's the big deal?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 19)

4-02-2008 @ 9:03AM

jswol54 said...

Actually, there is illegal activity in the other photos. I'm pretty sure the girls are only 19 and Leinart feeding booze to the young coeds through a beer bong isn't exactly legal. GO IRISH!!!

4-02-2008 @ 9:17AM

tom stovall III said...

face it! we're all just jealous it is not us in the hot tub with those 4 gorgeous girls.

4-02-2008 @ 9:31AM

tom said...

Why the hell is this a story? I'm sure this goes on with professional athletes, rock stars, and politicians every day. Seriously the only reason this is a story is someone took his picture. God only knows what pictures we would have of Babe Ruth if the camera phone had been around back in the day.

4-02-2008 @ 10:08AM

Sheck said...

Big deal.. The guy is in a hot tub with a few hotties.. Most of wish we where there.. His play is suspect so maybe he might want to keep it down to a dull roar..he could be like the dumb ass in Tampa who wa trying to take a leak on a dance floor.. Now thats a dumb a** ..Keep up the good work Matt. We all wish we where in that hot tub !!!!

4-02-2008 @ 11:05AM

fdavid said...

drinking beer at 19 shame on you! Go to Iraq and get killed at 18. Thats ok. Get a life you right wing law loving creeps. Go Matt!!!

4-02-2008 @ 11:23AM

todd said...

I do this twice a week what is the problem? Good clean fun?

4-02-2008 @ 11:41AM

Tom San Diego said...

Amen. Where's the Beef? Oh - right in front of our eyes? Go Matt - live our fantasies.

4-02-2008 @ 1:23PM

jmousso said...

I bet he was really committed to his "studies" at USC too. Dance 101, Partying 101, Breaking NCAA Rules and Getting away with it. The USC players received a PHD on that one!

4-02-2008 @ 3:01PM

shnidr said...

I'm very disappointed that he only has 4 rockets in the hot tub. You would think a guy like that could pull 5 or 6.

4-02-2008 @ 4:48PM

REGINA MARTIN said...

I see noughting wrong. Get a life people!

4-02-2008 @ 3:47PM

miller said...

Could be worse. Could be four young boys.

4-02-2008 @ 3:58PM

Jbyrd said...

Go Buckeyes!!!

4-02-2008 @ 4:07PM

perfect timing said...

Matt, you idiot, your a good looking guy with a lot of cash, so what are you doing in a hot tub with those ugly hides. For Christ's sake wake up and do some hot hides. Better do it quick because your an overatted QB, no more than a bench warmer at best.

4-02-2008 @ 4:23PM

dan marino said...

and i'll bet matt leinart is pretty disappointed to be on the arizona cardinals with a lame viagra-popping coach.

4-02-2008 @ 4:28PM

Connie said...

Wish those pictures were of you guys' daughters - all of you who think it is cool to be in the hot tub with the "young things". Go daughters! Daddy says it is ok!

4-02-2008 @ 4:30PM

jshanahan said...

The only thing that pisses me off is that they aren't playmates or porn stars..........Lucky dog...

4-03-2008 @ 11:39AM

ColoradoCastaway said...

How trivial, and bored(ing) can the sports/news be? Aside from the mystic a few comments ago, that he could tell the participants were under 21, what did Leinart do wrong? He's not being paid to provide us with moral guidance,spirtual healing or the other things sophomoric do gooders would have you beleive, he's a young man with $$$ to burn, who the hell are we to judge and condemn? Grow up people, shut up media.

4-02-2008 @ 4:41PM

SoCalsBeth said...

Oh please Ken..get over it. Unless it's written in his contract who he can and can't associate with, what is he doing wrong? You'd rather he be involved in drugs or maybe a drive-by..how about dog fighting ? And I agree with Stovall III, you are jealous. Hell, i'm jealous too !!!