Matt Leinart Surviving MMA Workouts

Fox Sports NFL reporter Jay Glazer moonlights as a personal mixed martial arts trainer. And after whipping Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen into shape last year, Jay recruited Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Matt Leinart into his program a couple months ago.

Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals / Image: Zuma Press

As it turns out, Matt is only the second NFL player to come back after one day of Jay’s training regimen—meaning the workout was so difficult, very few return to be punished beyond one day. Therefore, Matt is not only reaping the physical rewards, but also the mental benefits of sticking it out:

“I think the biggest thing is how far you can push yourself. It’s got me mentally tougher and obviously we’re not playing games right now but it really helps you build this attitude that nothing can stop you. It sounds like a lot, but if you saw the workouts these MMA guys do, it’s ridiculous. It’s a whole other animal ….. It’s pushing me to my limits.”

Matt needs all the help he can get. And as Jay tries to rid Matt of his “pretty boy” personna—and as Kurt Warner gets better with age—the heir apparent to the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback throne is playing a waiting game. MMA workouts certainly won’t hurt him, but game reps these workouts are not. And until Matt can get under center and “face the bullets” in real time on a regular basis, his growth as an NFL quarterback will be hindered. He needs snaps—game snaps. He needs to play football.

Source: The Dan Patrick Show