Matt Leinart Champions Blood Donation with Abbott’s We Give Blood Drive

Former Heisman Trophy winner and college football legend Matt Leinart is stepping off the field and into a life-saving mission. Now a college football analyst, Leinart has teamed up with Abbott for the "We Give Blood Drive" campaign to address the critical blood shortages plaguing the U.S. With some blood centers operating on less than a day’s supply, the urgency couldn’t be clearer.

What makes this cause so personal for Leinart? He shared heartfelt stories of loss and hope, reflecting on how blood transfusions were vital for his late mother during her battle with cancer. He also mentioned friends whose children relied on donations to survive serious illnesses. Even closer to home, with his wife recently giving birth to their third child, Leinart noted the sobering statistic that 1 in 83 new mothers require blood after childbirth. Thankfully, his family was spared, but the reality hit hard. "That could’ve been us," he admitted.

Leinart is passionate about spreading the word: a single blood donation can save up to three lives. That’s a game-changer worth rallying behind. As part of Abbott’s initiative, a unique competition will see Big Ten Conference schools vie to donate the most blood from August 27, dubbed "We Give Blood Day," through the Big Ten Championship Game on December 6. The winning school will secure a hefty $1 million to bolster student and community health programs.

This isn’t just a campaign; it’s a call to action. Leinart’s personal connection and the staggering need for blood remind us all that sometimes the biggest victories happen off the field.