Kim Kardashian ‘Grateful’ To Cardinals QB For Introducing Her To Reggie Bush

From Hollywood red carpets to the sidelines of New Orleans Saints games, Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush have been nearly inseparable since they began dating in 2007.

And as it turns out, the couple, who was in Tampa this week enjoying the events leading up to the Super Bowl, has an NFL star to thank for their relationship.

Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback (and Reggie’s former college teammate at USC) Matt Leinart was the one who originally introduced the stars to each other, Kim told AccessHollywood.com.

“We met at the [2007] ESPY Awards,” Kim recounted of her initial encounter with Reggie. “My stepdad, Bruce, and I were walking to our seats and Matt called my name. When I went over, he was sitting with Reggie…. Matt introduced me to the love of my life and we will always be grateful.”

But not only does Leinart, who is also in Tampa as his team prepares to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, deserve some matchmaking credit, but Kim’s mom also had a hand in the chance encounter.

“My mom got the flu and my stepdad, Bruce, had to go to the ESPYs. He was stalking me all day to go and I didn’t want to because I don’t care about sports. But my mom forced me to go,” Kim added.

So while Kim will be rooting for Matt and his Cardinals come Sunday, she thinks the team would have a better shot at winning if they played Reggie’s former USC alumnus, who backs up AZ starter Kurt Warner.

“The Cardinals are going to win,” Kim said. “But they would win by a lot more if Matt Leinart was playing.”