If you aren’t familiar with the American football player Tyrann Mathieu, you’re about to find out. Tyrann Devine Mathieu, who was born on May 13, 1992, plays safety for the National Football League’s (NFL) New Orleans Saints, and he played collegiate football at Louisiana State University under the LSU Tigers Football Program.
He gained a reputation in college for generating turnovers, breaking the Southeastern Conference (SEC) record with 11 forced fumbles in a career, and earned the tag of “the Honey Badger” after the mammal that has the same name. During his second season, he was voted a unanimous All-American, won the Chuck Bednarik Award for best defensive player in college football, and made it to the Heisman Trophy finalists.
However, after that season, Mathieu was kicked out of the LSU football program for breaking team rules despite his excellent reputation in the sport.
After being fired, he had to take a year off from football, but the Arizona Cardinals picked him up in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, bringing back his former college teammate Patrick Peterson to the defensive backfield. As a rookie, he was chosen for the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Since then, he has been invited to the Pro Bowl three times and has been chosen for three first-team All-Pro teams. In addition, Mathieu has played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, where he was a member of the Super Bowl LIV champion team. But the million-dollar question is why he was dismissed from the team and what were the major causes that led to it?
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Mathieu discusses how the Chiefs drove him out against his will
When Mathieu, who is now 30, signed with the Chiefs initially and quickly became the highest-paid safety in the NFL. Mathieu acknowledged that he was even ready to take a pay cut to stay a Chief despite the fact that his value had increased during his tenure with Kansas City. However, the Chiefs made their decision to part ways with Mathieu when they signed Justin Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million deal to replace him. Mathieu now has a potential opportunity to join new teams like the Philadelphia Eagles or the New Orleans Saints.
Mathieu’s reaction to the decision
“Bro, I was depressed. Heartbroken. Heart. Broken,” the three-time Pro Bowler said. “To be honest, if they would’ve offered me Justin Reid’s deal, obviously, I would’ve tried to negotiate, but if that’s where they drew their line in the sand, I probably would’ve taken it. I probably would’ve taken it. Agents are going to do their thing, but at the end of the day, it’s the player’s decision whether to sign or not. Probably would’ve taken it.”
Mathieu continued by explaining how, despite being disappointing, the decision had to be made and was expected and that his dismissal was overdue. Mathieu was aware that the AFC Championship defeat by the Cincinnati Bengals from the previous year would be his final match at Arrowhead Stadium.
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The decision didn’t just affect Mathieu and proved to be quite monumental, as his son seemed to be equally heartbroken by the news. Tyrann Jr., his 7-year-old son, was distraught and very saddened when they explained to him why he would have to leave his friends and football team behind. Even though Mathieu’s wife advises him to use this as an opportunity to share his talent with others, he thinks she doesn’t fully comprehend how deeply his decision to leave LSU will impact him.
The main reason behind his dismissal
Mathieu was kicked off the LSU football team on August 10, 2012, according to head coach Les Miles, for disobeying team rules. Despite Miles’ refusal to confirm the claims, news sites reported that his termination was the result of him failing multiple drug tests. Mathieu had shown interest in joining the team again for the 2013 campaign. Mathieu left LSU on August 17, 2012, and he registered in a Houston, Texas, drug rehab center.
It was anticipated that Mathieu would withdraw for the entire year of 2012–2013. On September 4, 2012, Mathieu, however, decided to resume his withdrawal and signed up for the autumn semester of studies. Mathieu and three other former LSU players were detained on marijuana possession charges on October 25, 2012.
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It was later declared that Mathieu would participate in the NFL Draft on November 29, 2012. On February 26, 2013, Mathieu took part in the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine. He completed four push-ups weighing 225 pounds, ran the 40 yards in 4.50 seconds, had a 34-inch vertical, and had a 117-inch broad jump. Later, on March 27, 2013, he competed in his pro day.
Mathieu claims he is grateful for everything
As devastated and crushed as he was by the news, Mathieu expressed gratefulness and sincere appreciation. He said that he is thankful to have played at the level that he did. He is grateful for all of the ties that he has built with excellent people during the course of his career, including athletes and coaches who text him and want to stay in touch with him.
He also stated that he enjoyed the brief tenure that he got with the team and that it sped past, wishing that it had been a little bit longer.
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