Update: Brynn Cameron will resume collegiate basketball career

Update:  Additional quotations added.

Originally posted July 20:  After taking off the entire season last year, University of Southern California guard Brynn Cameron plans to return to her former basketball team this fall.  The 21-year-old says that although "it will be a lot of work," she hopes her play will "set a good example" for 9-month-old Cole, her son with ex-boyfriend and Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Matt Leinart. 

I want [Cole to] realize that things don’t always go how you planned, life is a series of adjustments and you can get through anything. 

Although Brynn had always wanted to be a mother — often babysitting the young child of her assistant coaches, and spending lots of time with her 18-month-old niece Drew — her own pregnancy was unplanned, and the idea of impending motherhood took some getting used to. 

When this all happened, it was like ‘Wait, I didn’t want it to happen like this.’  But now that he’s here, he’s changed my life and he’s made it.  I can’t even explain it.  Being a mom is the best thing ever.  He makes everything worth it.

As for Cole’s dad, Brynn’s outlook is decidedly less rosy. 

Click ‘continue reading’ for pictures of Cole and Brynn’s thoughts on the challenges of co-parenting with Matt.

The single mom appears to take umbrage at recent statements by Matt — whom Brynn says "comes and goes whenever he wants" — that it is "the little things" about fatherhood he loves the most. 

It’s kind of hard for me as the mom — I’m probably with Cole 99.9% of the time — to open a magazine or read a newspaper article with Matt saying ‘Oh, I love being a dad.  I love changing diapers.  I love doing this.’  I’m like ‘Wait, what?’  I don’t know how to word how he is about this, but it’s been hard when I’m doing all the work, but he gets all the credit for it. 

I don’t want to sit here and bad mouth his lifestyle, but it is hard because we are different people.  He likes that Hollywood stuff and I don’t like that and raising a kid together, you have to work together as parents, but we’re so different.

It’s hard, but I have to raise Cole to be a strong, secure kid so he knows right and wrong, what’s good and bad and what really matters in life, which isn’t what’s going on in Hollywood or who’s dating who.  That’s not what it’s all about, and I think he’ll know that being raised by me.

Source:  Ventura County Star

Photos by Chuck Kirman for the Ventura County Star; Splash News

Thanks to CBB reader Loren.

Comments

“I have to raise Cole to be a strong, secure kid so he knows right and wrong.”

I guess publicly insulting your child’s father is a “good” thing? How sad.

- Patty on July 23rd, 2007

Wow. To me he looks like a blond Matt. But he’s cute, especially with those round cheeks and big smile.

And, well, Matt…I hope he shows Brynn and their son that he can live up to the hype. He’s talking a good game but obviously Brynn has yet to see him do any of this yet. Good luck to her and Matt on how they handle their co-parenting situation.

- FC on July 23rd, 2007

He is so adorable and chubby! Matt seems genuinely excited about fatherhood, so I hope he can put some actions behind those words. I’m sure it’s hard for he and Brynn to balance out their careers, but I hope they work it out for Cole’s sake.

- Hillary on July 23rd, 2007

I have to disagree Patty. I take it as she really bit her tongue about what she really wanted to say, but she kept it really tame so as not to stir up any trouble between her and Cole’s father. If Matt isn’t in his child’s life, then he’s not. There’s no sugar-coating that.

Although, I do wish the best to Brynn, Matt and Cole. I hope they can at least be civil for the child’s sake. And he’s a real cutie! Love that smile.

- Taylor on July 23rd, 2007

While I think Brynn bit her tongue I also think she perhaps said a line or two she should not have. HOWEVER….put yourself in her shoes. Shes making a comeback to her college basketball team. She is returning to school….but first and MOST IMPORTANT shes a mother to her son. If what she “indicated” is true then that has got to hit a nerve or two or SEVERAL that your childs’ father is claiming tasks he does with his child that he realy is not doing. I mean its one of those damned if you do and damned if you dont situations. Perhaps she should have said nothing at all in regards to it. I do like though that in some ways i got the feeling she was trying to say with or without Matt she will do just fine. I hope for Coles’ sake that Matt steps up as best as he can and puts HOLLYWOOD after his child.

- gina on July 23rd, 2007

Whether it’s hard or not, the classier option would have been to keep her mouth shut for the sake of her child – and the fact he might read that one day.

- Victoria on July 23rd, 2007

I don’t see the problem with being honest. If the father’s nonexistant in the childs life then why pretend hes father of the year? At the same time, she is very young and maybe she didnt realize what kind of impact her comments would make. I definatly thing she deserves to be recognised…sounds like she’s staying busy doing two things she loves…playing b-ball, and being a mom.

- Tracie on July 23rd, 2007

Yes, it probably would have been classier to keep her mouth shut. But, I think we’ve all had times when we’re worn out from work and kids and just life in general and we say things maybe not the way we’d wished we’d said them, or things that we should not have said at all.

I give all singles moms credit. It was still a lot nicer than what other celebrity moms have said. And should Cole read this interview someday, he’ll either already know that his dad wasn’t involved in his life, or Matt will have changed his tune and Cole can look back and appreciate that his father came around.

- MZ on July 23rd, 2007

I can understand what some are saying. And yes, maybe Cole could read it all some day. But if he did, he’d also be seeing the press about his dad casually dating Paris Hiton, etc. etc. etc — and how many other young Hollywood women — being seen in compromising positions with them, being very physical in public with women he is not with, being a huge partier in terms of often seen in bars, out at parties, etc — with many different women — both while she was pregnant with Cole, right before his birth, and after.

I know they aren’t together and he has that right, (no mistake though, he doesn’t hide his love for the Hollywood scene and using that to any advantage he can) but he in no way protects his public image for the sake of his son.

Her words were pretty restrained — even if perhaps better unsaid — but she is young, still learning, and seems to be doing a pretty great job of it. He has a reputation of being a bit of a “quick fling with a hot girl wherever he can get it” guy. I hope he does right by Cole, and Cole’s mom. He does seem to get more leniency than Tom Brady.

Regardless of if either of them deserves it or not, it seems that with similar circumstances (breakup, then baby on the way — although Tom and Bridget broke up before knowing she was pregnant — it was after in the other case) Brady does seem to get it harder in the press — despite being with one regular girlfriend as opposed to the string Matt publicly displayed during the pregnancy and since.

- ab on July 23rd, 2007

Good for her. A absentee father is the lowest form of pond scum there is.

- susan on July 23rd, 2007

Men like Matt think they can be a father on their own terms and the kid is an afterthought. Being a parent actually requires sacrifices.
Good on Brynn for speaking her mind. It’s not a crime you know.

- Neke on July 23rd, 2007

I agree, if he’s not being a father to his son why is the burden on her to hide it and make things right? Why should she want to hide it? Why should she want to teach her son to be anything less that forthcoming and honest? Just because Matt is the child’s father doesn’t make him perfect and I’m sure Cole will understand that. I found her comments to be pretty diplomatic and not at all vindictive.

- terri on July 23rd, 2007

Go Brynn!! She is a single Mom who is doing everything for her son…God Forbid that she tell the truth about his father!! All of the comments she made were very mild…I think she bit her tongue and held in her true thoughts!! I hope that she and Matt are civil for their son’s sake…but she knows who is going to be doing all of the work and handling the crises!! Keep it up…Stay strong!!

- MommyB on July 23rd, 2007

Go Bryn!

For such a young woman, she seems to understand that when you have a child, no matter what, that child is your first priority. I can understand where she is coming from – most single moms deal with non-existent fathers that stroll in and out of the child’s life a few times a year and get praised for being a good father simply because they acknowledge the child. It shouldn’t be that way, its a DOUBLE STANDARD!

Can you imagine what we’d be saying (which most people do feel, honestly) if this mother only saw her child a few times a year and praised her parenting skills in the interviews? How would we feel if society reversed its opinions about parenting?

lets face it, in our society its acceptable to be a father that sees his children a few times a year but the mother has to be the supportive only parent all year long – I praise this young lady for being a single mom and saying, hey, just cause a father claims birthright doesn’t make him #1 dad… and she has a right to say that without being called young and stupid.

- syd on July 23rd, 2007

All she said was that Matt’s not around and that he’s into Hollywood trimmings. These things are not surprising. You could probably not know what sport Matt Leinart plays and have some idea of both of these things. As MZ said, if the kid reads it one day? Either matt’ll have had a change of heart in which case it’ll be water under the bridge, or he won’t have had, in which case it’s not really going to be a shock to the kid to find out that his dad’s not around.

She’s just stating the facts that there are differences between them and, at least currently, differences in the ways they are involved in their child’s life and that she hopes they can work through them for the baby’s sake. She’s young and I’m sure the reporter wanted her to talk about Matt, but I think that’s quite mature, actually. She’s a strong girl. Good luck to them.

- Chiara on July 23rd, 2007

Deadbeat Dads – pondscum, sure. Absentee dads? I don’t think you can paint them all with the same brush.

My Dad was technically an absentee Dad, but not by his choice. My mother left my father (no violence or abuse of any kind involved) and it was her decision to keep him away and deny him access. My Dad fought through the courts but lost because of the natural bias towards mothers. Of course this was over two decades ago and the system has changed but mums still hold a lot of power unless they’re proven completely incompetent or dangerous. Unfortunately, not all of them wield that power fairly when it comes to separation.

I have no idea what the case is here, and Matt may be pondscum, but the generalisation isn’t true for all dads.

- Lilybett on July 23rd, 2007

Add me to the “Go Brynn” brigade. While I think it’s unhealthy to disparage a parent to a child, I also think it’s equally unhealthy to lie to them. I don’t believe in building falsehoods for children under the guise of the “rules of propriety”. When the truth comes out (and it ALWAYS does), you end up with a disillusioned and wary child on your hands because you lied to them. If the man isn’t stepping up I don’t see any reason for Brynn to create this urban legend of a father for Cole. She doesn’t need to trash him or name call, but she also shouldn’t play happy homemaker and lie about his role and his presence. I do think Matt loves his son, but he seems painfully immature by the descriptions I’ve recently read. For Cole’s sake I hope he comes to his senses sooner than later, but wearing rose colored glasses about him or the situation isn’t going to help anybody either. I commend her for being so young and so grounded, I’m sure it’d be just as easy for her to find connections in Hollywood and run from Dan to Bathsheba ignoring her son. Kudos to her! Hopefully in due time Matt will do the same.

- Grayson's Girl on July 23rd, 2007

I have to believe she was aware of his Hollywood lifestyle when she shagged him right? It didn’t materialise overnight.

All that aside, I don’t envy her at all. Being a mom is a tough gig, never mind being a single parent.

- Principesa on July 24th, 2007

What a pretty little boy!

I agree %100 w/ KB & Syd. Matt gets way more of a pass then Tom for some reason. Brynn didn’t insult Matt & she def shouldn’t “shut it” about him being a lame dad. If Brynn was the one barely seeing Cole this post would have lit up & people wouldv’e been all over her. I mean Brynn is really busy too, playing ball & going to school. Ho would Matt like it if she left him to care for Cole all the time & came & went as she pleased? Somehow I don’t think he’d like it to much.

I don’t blame her for being upset about Matt playing up himself as superdad when he’s not doing those things. It won’t matter if Cole reads this one day, he would’ve already lived through Matt being a deadbeat dad to him.

I recall he said he messed up their relationship to begin w/ while he was still at USC. He got another chance & he still didn’t learn. I agree that Matt seems really immature & to young to be a dad. But Cole is here now & time for him to grow up.

- Pete on July 24th, 2007

Good on Brynn for putting Matt in his place per what he said (i.e, in the People interview). If he truly was doing what he said in those interviews why would Brynn have any cause to contradict him? Brynn has way more class and maturity at her young age of 21 than Matt who is still acting his immature age of 24.

- Dawna on July 24th, 2007

Good for Brynn! I don’t think it’s wrong of her to tell the truth about Matt’s lies. He’s the one partying and having a good time, but getting publicity because he’s such a “good dad who loves the little things.” Raising a child alone is hard work and she deserves all the credit she can get. After seeing pics of Matt at all these Hollywood parties and functions, I’ve wondered if he ever see Cole at all?

Sarah’s note: Yes, there were pictures of him, Cole, and Brynn at a family gathering last week.

- Melanie on July 24th, 2007

I understand she has a need to vent about Matt but she shouldn’t be doing it in a publication. I think it’s very tacky. If anything, I think it will have the opposite effect….people may jump to Matt’s side.

Courts, for example, are very sensitive to parents bad-mouthing each other around the kids. She should actually be more careful for the sake of keeping her son.

- cats on July 24th, 2007

i wouldn’t have said it as nice! she was very classy with her response to him.

- danielle on July 24th, 2007

i hope that in the future that matt cole’s father can not only talk the talk but walk the walk. As for Brynn i wish her the best of luck. Its so sad to see that she is playing both the mother role but also the father role, and i hope that she can finish school so that she can help to provide a good lifestyle for her and her child and not have to realy on matt’s child support check.

- alexandra on July 24th, 2007

I did not see anything bad about what Brynn said. She is like any other mother – married or single, it can be frustrating when a father takes credit for things he is not doing. I’m married and my husband does the same thing, takes credit for things he hasnt’ done with our daughter. As a product of a single mother household, my advise is the raise your son with love, and surround yourself with those that love him and he will be fine. Brynn should focus on Cole and getting herself back on track with school and returning to playing basketball. It’s a simple formula – Children learn by example.

- Michelle Nicole Brown on July 24th, 2007

I think she probably did know about his lifestyle. It was all over the tabloids. However, I highly doubt she thought she was going to get pregnant. I’m sure in the back of her mind, she knew there was a *chance* she could, but more likely than not she was using protection (he’s slept with Paris Hilton…) and that protection failed. It happens. A friend of mine got pregnant while on the birth control pill.

I think what Brynn probably hoped for was that now that he has a son, that Matt would step up and be an important figure and a present figure in Cole’s life. That’s not a far fetched hope. She has every right to call him on not being there. Cole didn’t ask to come into this world, but he has every right to have a father. Coming from a family where my dad wasn’t always there, I feel bad for Brynn and Cole. It’s hard being a mum at times, but to be mum and dad is especially difficult. To be a mum and dad to a boy is even harder. No wonder my brother has issues now that my dad is no longer here. I was fortunate that my dad started to come around before it was too late, and I hope the same for Cole. He’s still young enough that he won’t remember Matt not being there, so hopefully he wises up.

- Devon on July 24th, 2007

I think for her age and probably the level of anger and sadness and desertion she’s feeling, she was amazingly tactful. At worst, she said Matt Leinart doesn’t deserve the kudos he’s taking and receiving in the press. She said that she’s unfamiliar with the man the press has been describing… Which is far better than “He’s a schmuck and has left me alone to bear the burden of raising this kid alone – and it sucks.” I’m sure this is a subject she and Matt have discussed between themselves; and as I recently read, shame can go a long way into inducing someone to change their behavior. Matt knows what she’s saying and how much she’s holding back; maybe he’ll come around now that her side is being publicized as well.

If this is badmouthing someone, we should all be so lucky if our enemies (or whoever) took it so lightly.

That said, the kid looks happy and healthy. And BIG.

- Jen DC on July 24th, 2007

Why should Bryn bite her tongue for the sake of not making Matt look like a perfect Dad. We all can see (us women) who watch and keep up with sports that Matt isn’t the father of the year because we see him in pictures and on gossip web sites with Hollywood wild girls. For a rookie QB to be on those gossip sites already in his career he must party a lot. Cole isn’t going to read this interview and be shocked when he grows up because he will see the truth of what his dad is really like, at best a part time dad when he is in town.

- Debbie on July 24th, 2007

This is a hard one. If what she says is true, it would be very hard to not let people know the truth. But I’m with a previous poster who said its tacky to talk like that to a publication. And a bit hypocritical too, in my opinion. She’s using the press to sway public opinion (whether for her or against her ex) – how much more “hollywood” do you get? But I agree with several people who pointed out her age. At that age, I probably would have done the same thing.

- madison on July 24th, 2007

I’m going to have to go against public opinion and say that what Brynn did was wrong. As a child of divorced parents, I can say that while having your parents live apart is difficult, the most emotional damage occurs when/if the parent’s begin to bad mouth each other…and I can imagine that this damage is multiplied many times over when the bad-mouthing occurs in such a public way. I’m not saying that Brynn should have kept all her feelings bottled up inside – but maybe something to the effect of “We’re in a difficult situation b/c we’re such different people but all I can do is my best to raise my son” would have not only have gotten her message across but done so in a way that doesn’t negatively effect the child. Granted, her son is young, so he will probably never be aware of this particular instance, but I can only hope that as he grows older Brynn learns that there are some issues that are better handled behind closed doors.

Additionally, if Matt really is as absent as Brynn lets on, don’t you think that this in itself will damage the poor child enough?The last thing this child needs is an absentee father and a mother who never lets him forget it.

- Lili on July 24th, 2007

He’s the one that brought it to the press, not her. Him being absent is what will hurt Cole not her refuting his claims that he’s father of year. Go Brynn!!!

- romie on July 24th, 2007

Matt is the one who opened his mouth first saying how such a great father he is. Brynn was just commenting on his statements and she had every right to do so.
What she said didn’t trash him it was just personal fact for her.
Neither one of us know “the real” of the whole situation but Matt and Brynn.
However this should teach Matt to watch what he says in interviews.

- Lish on July 25th, 2007

Brynn is doing what any single mom should do,when the child’s father is an absentee one.
No need to sugarcoat his failures,he is immature now, hopefully he will change his tune for the sake of cole.
Any man that wants to score with Paris or Britney, has no integrity or values and no respect for his reputation.
Brynn keep your head high and follow your dreams.
My siblings and I were raised by a single mom who try to hide our father shortcomings, by making him to be a great man,which led to a big disappointment when we found out truth.
so speak your mind gently,your son will appreciate it.
best of luck Brynn,god will guide you
esmeralda

- esmeralda on August 14th, 2007