Tyrann Mathieu

As a true freshman in 2010, Mathieu played in all 13 games with one start. He finished the season with 59 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions. He was the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the 2011 Cotton Bowl Classic after he recorded seven tackles, one tackle for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, one sack, and one pass breakup.[4]

At the end of the 2011 regular season, Mathieu had 77 total tackles (60 solo and 17 assists), 1.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries (2 returned for a touchdown), and 2 interceptions.[5] On special teams, Mathieu had 26 punt returns for 420 yards, with 2 returned for a touchdown.[6] On October 19, 2011, Mathieu was suspended for one game following a violation of LSU's drug policy.[7] Mathieu was named the most valuable player of the 2011 SEC Championship Game. Mathieu earned the nickname "The Honey Badger" for his tenacious ability to play extremely tough football against much larger opponents, as well as his knack for making big plays.[8] This led to him being a Heisman Trophy finalist. On December 8, 2011, Mathieu was awarded the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the year's best defensive player in college football. This marked the second straight year an LSU defensive player won the nation's top defensive honor following Patrick Peterson in 2010.

On August 10, 2012, LSU head coach Les Miles announced that Mathieu would be dismissed from the football team due to a violation of team rules. News outlets reported that the dismissal was a result of repeated drug test failures, although Miles did not confirm those reports.[9] Mathieu had formerly expressed an interest in returning to the program for the 2013 season.[10] On August 17, 2012, Mathieu withdrew from LSU and entered a drug rehabilitation program in Houston, Texas.[11] Mathieu's withdrawal was expected to last for the entire 2012–2013 academic year. However, on September 4, 2012, Mathieu ended his withdrawal and enrolled for fall semester classes. On October 25, 2012, Mathieu and three other LSU former players were arrested on possession of marijuana.[12]

On November 29, 2012, it was announced that Mathieu would enter the NFL Draft.[13] Mathieu participated at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine on February 26, 2013. He ran a 4.50 40-yard dash, had 4 reps of 225 pounds, a 34-inch vertical, and a 117-inch broad jump.[14] He also later participated at his pro day on March 27, 2013.[15]

The Arizona Cardinals selected Mathieu in the third round (69th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Mathieu was the sixth safety drafted in 2013.[20] On April 26, 2013, it was reported that Cardinals' head coach Bruce Arians stated that Mathieu would be playing free safety although it was widely expected he would play slot cornerback coming out of college.[21]

External video

Cardinals draft Tyrann Mathieu 69th overall

NFL Draft Profile: Tyrann Mathieu

Mathieu during training camp in 2013

On May 23, 2013, the Arizona Cardinals signed Mathieu to a four-year, $3.05 million contract that included $817,187 guaranteed and a signing bonus of $265,000.[22]

Mathieu stated that he would remove himself from any association with his nickname, saying that he wants to be known as "Tyrann Mathieu" as opposed to "Honey Badger".[23] (Over 6 years later in a week 17 postgame interview during the 2019 season, Mathieu indicated that he was satisfied that he’d established himself and was okay with the “Honey Badger” nickname.) Throughout training camp, Mathieu competed to be the first-team nickelback and starting free safety. He competed for a starting role at free safety against Yeremiah Bell and Rashad Johnson.[24] Head coach Bruce Arians named Mathieu the backup free safety to begin the regular season, behind Rashad Johnson. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles also named him the first-team nickelback.[25]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Arizona Cardinals' season-opener at the St. Louis Rams and made seven solo tackles and made his first career forced fumble in their 27–24 loss. Mathieu made his first career regular season tackle and forced a fumble on St Louis Rams' tight end Jared Cook. He forced a fumble before Cook crossed into the endzone for a touchdown and it was recovered by Cardinals' linebacker Karlos Dansby for a touchback in the first quarter.[26] The following week, he earned his first career start as a nickelback and made six solo tackles and a pass deflection during a 25–21 victory against the Detroit Lions in Week 2. On September 22, 2013, Mathieu recorded ten combined tackles (nine solo), deflected a pass, and made his first career interception during a 31–7 loss at the New Orleans Saints. Mathieu intercepted a pass by quarterback Drew Brees, that was initially intended for wide receiver Lance Moore, in the third quarter.[27] In Week 4, Mathieu earned his first career start at free safety after Rashad Johnson sustained an injury to his finger while covering a punt the previous week.[28] Mathieu finished the Cardinals' 13–10 win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4 with six solo tackles. On October 6, 2013, he recorded five solo tackles and made his first career sack during the Cardinals' 22–6 win against the Carolina Panthers. Mathieu sacked quarterback Cam Newton for a ten-yard loss in the second quarter.[29] On December 8, 2013, Mathieu made one solo tackle and a pass deflection before exiting the Cardinals' 30–10 victory against the St. Louis Rams with a leg injury. It was later determined Mathieu tore his left ACL and LCL while returning a punt during the third quarter.[30] On December 10, 2013, the Arizona Cardinals placed Mathieu on injured reserve officially ending his rookie season.[31] He completed his rookie season in 2013 with 68 combined tackles (65 solo), nine pass deflections, two interceptions, a sack, and a forced fumble in 13 games and 11 starts.[32] Mathieu was named a first-team All-Pro at the slot cornerback position by Pro Football Focus after the season.[33]

Mathieu was not able to participate in training camp due to his recovery. He was inactive for the Arizona Cardinals' season-opener, but joined the team in Week 2. Upon his return, head coach Bruce Arians named Mathieu the backup free safety behind Rashad Johnson.[34] On September 21, 2014, Mathieu collected a season-high six combined tackles during a 23–14 win against the San Francisco 49ers. On November 2, 2014, Mathieu recorded five combined tackles, a pass deflection, and made his second career interception during a 28–17 win at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9.[35] In Week 10, Mathieu became the starting free safety and replaced Tony Jefferson in the starting lineup.[36] On November 30, 2014, Mathieu made three combined tackles in the Cardinals' 29–18 win against the Atlanta Falcons, but exited in the third quarter after sustaining a thumb injury. He underwent surgery on his thumb and was expected to missed two games (Weeks 13–14).[37] Mathieu finished the season with 39 combined tackles (35 solo), four pass deflections, an interception, and a fumble recovery in 13 games and six starts.[32]

Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles accepted the head coaching position with the New York Jets and was replaced by James Bettcher. Throughout training camp, Mathieu competed against Rashad Johnson to be the starting free safety.[38] Head coach Bruce Arians officially named him the starting free safety to start the regular season, alongside strong safety Deone Bucannon.

On September 27, 2015, Mathieu had a career-high two interceptions including his first career touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.[39] The last time an Arizona Cardinal had two interceptions in a game was Patrick Peterson in Week 10, 2014.[40] He had two more interceptions in 2015 before his season-ending injury, one in November 15 against the Seattle Seahawks and on November 29 against the 49ers.[41][42] On December 20, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Mathieu tore his right ACL after an interception, causing him to miss the final two games of the regular season in addition to the post-season.[43] Mathieu was named to his first Pro bowl after the season and was named by the Associated Press as a first-team All-Pro safety.[44][45] He was ranked 28th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[46]

Mathieu in 2016.

On August 2, 2016, the Arizona Cardinals signed Mathieu to a five-year, $62.5 million extension that included $21.25 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $15.5 million.[47] On October 17, he picked off Geno Smith, his ninth career interception against the New York Jets.[48] In Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, Mathieu left the game with a shoulder injury. He was ruled out from three to six weeks.[49] He played in two of the next six games, struggling in both of the games. He was placed on injured reserve on December 23, 2016.[50]

On September 17, 2017, Mathieu picked off Jacoby Brissett in overtime in a 16–13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The pick set the Cardinals up to win the game on a Phil Dawson field goal.[51] On November 26, Mathieu recorded his second Interception of the season in a 27-24 overtime win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[52]

On March 14, 2018, Mathieu was released by the Cardinals after refusing to take a pay cut.[53]

On March 17, 2018, Mathieu signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans worth $7 million.[54] In his first game with the Texans, against the New England Patriots, Mathieu had one interception, recovered a fumble, and had five tackles.[55] He finished the season with 89 combined tackles, three sacks, eight passes defensed and two interceptions.

On March 14, 2019, Mathieu signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.[56] In week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts, Mathieu recorded his second interception off Jacoby Brissett and returned it for 30 yards in the 19–13 loss.[57] On February 2, 2020, Mathieu won Super Bowl LIV when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20.[58]