Fox football analysts Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn reprised a famed duel from their college days for a couple of incoming university students.
The college football greats on Saturday faced off in Fox's annual Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway contest, which awards $50,000 to the winner for the purpose of paying college bills.
The event, which pits two contestants throwing a series of footballs through a narrow opening on a giant inflatable Dr. Pepper can, usually features two students playing on behalf of themselves.
This year, however, it was held with Leinart and Quinn as stand-ins, owing to the virus.
Neither broadcaster particularly distinguished himself in the competition, which ended in a tie -- and both students receiving a winner's check for $50 grand.
The underwhelming performance prompted a variety of jokes from those who were watching.
For many it conjured memories of the so-called "Bush Push," the infamous game-deciding play -- in which Reggie Bush appeared to shove Leinart over the goal line for a touchdown on a QB dive -- that sent USC to a narrow win over Notre Dame in their classic 2005 matchup in South Bend.
For many others, the absurd stunt underscored the insanity of having a major financial break potentially coming down to an arbitrary competition headed up by a pair of players whose careers ended in relative disappointment.
Imagine your tuition hopes hinging on a throwing contest between Brady Quinn and Matt Leinart
— Rich (@richjmadrid) December 19, 2020
Our education system is so broken that two people have to put their trust in Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn to throw footballs into large Dr. Pepper cans in order to “win” tuition.
— Nevets (@ImSteveJennings) December 19, 2020
That’s a real thing that just happened. This is a real tweet that I just typed.
Wtf.
Both Leinart and Quinn have made a relatively successful transition to the booth following disappointing pro careers.
Leinart, who won the 2004 Heisman Trophy and was drafted 10th overall by the Cardinals in 2006, was finished as a starter after two seasons in Arizona. He later served as a backup with the Texans and Raiders before retiring in 2012. Quinn had even less success in the NFL, retiring in 2012 after stints with the Browns and Chiefs.
