Matt Leinart is not only a legend of the USC Trojans, he is a legend of college football in general. Leinart was the face of arguably the most exciting period of dominance in the history of college football during his career at the University of Southern California. Leinart’s career will be remembered forever.

Leinart led two AP National Championship teams and one BCS National Championship team and won the Heisman Trophy in 2004. Leinart’s No. 11 jersey is no longer worn by the USC Trojans, and in 2017 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Among these incredible accolades, Leinart was selected to the All-Pac-10 first team three times, was named a Consensus All-American, was selected to the All-American first team twice, was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year twice, and was named National Quarterback of the Year twice.

There are literally nearly a dozen more prestigious awards, but you get what I mean now. It’s exactly these kinds of legendary achievements that inspire the next generation of great young players. Having heroes and role models inspires the heroes to achieve everything they can.

Current USC quarterback Miller Moss was one of the young players who looked up to Leinart. After Moss’ 27/36 378-yard, one-touchdown performance, Leinart posted a video on social media in support of Moss.

“I’ve known this kid since he was about five years old… big win for the Trojans,” Leinart said in the video. Today, USC Football’s Twitter page posted a photo of toddler Miller Moss standing next to one of his childhood heroes, you guessed it, then-USC quarterback Matt Leinart.

“I’ve always dreamed of being here, so in a way I’ve been preparing for this my whole life,” Moss said in an interview shortly before the season. The picture of Moss and Leinart is a great full-circle moment for both men involved. Especially for Moss, who fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a starting quarterback at the University of Southern California.

Moss did it the hard way. He waited for his chance while going through multiple coaching staffs, a Heisman Trophy winner, five-star recruits and more. He never jumped into the transfer portal or ran away from the grind, as the guys say. He worked, he believed, and ultimately that belief paid off.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that’s true, especially in this case. If you are humble enough to reach out to the people below you, you never know what impact it will have. If you are determined enough to work towards your dreams and never give up, anything is possible.

The Trojans return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for their first home game against Utah State on Saturday, September 7 at 8 p.m. PT.