Tyrann Mathieu, born May 13, 1992, is an American professional football safety for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1992, Mathieu didn’t have the best upbringing for the initial few years of his life. His mother was very young and was not around much while his father was in prison for murder. Taken in by his grandparents, 1997 would lead to another blow for Mathieu as his grandfather passed away. As a five year old, he finally found a stable home and family after his uncle and aunt took him in and thus he was introduced to sports and football in general. Known for his hard hitting, quickness, agility, and not backing down to stronger opponents, Mathieu earned the nickname ‘The Honey Badger’ from his college days. Due to his physical abilities, Mathieu plays as a safety and has made a huge impact on defenses over the years. Prior to getting his break in the NFL, he was one of the stars of the LSU Tigers football team.
Even then, he couldn’t take in all the success and the pressure of being a player his teammates counted upon made him go down the dreaded path of drugs. After getting arrested, he vowed to turn his life around and focused completely on getting drafted into the NFL.
Also Read: Where is Tyrann Mathieu from?
Tyrann Mathieu's Team
Tyrann Mathieu currently plays for the New Orleans Saints. In a way, this is a homecoming of sorts for him as he was born and grew up in the same city. After the end of the 2021 NFL season, Mathieu became a free agent and he took the opportunity to sign a new three year deal with the Saints from 2022 to 2024. The past year has been a good one for the Honey Badger in terms of individual success as he had 91 combined and 27 assisted tackles, both personal best records for him.
Tyrann Mathieu’s Previous Teams
The Arizona Cardinals were the team that provided Mathieu with his first big break in the game. Incidentally, his best friend from college, Patrick Peterson was already with the Cardinals as a cornerback and he vouched for Mathieu's super play to the team’s general manager. The robust safety would go on to have a great five year career with the Cardinals, however, he was let go after the 2017 season since he refused to accept a pay cut.
Looking for another team that would suit him, Mathieu signed a one year deal in 2018 with the Houston Texans. With the Texans, Mathieu enjoyed similar levels of success as that with the Cardinals but his one year stay was not prolonged leading him to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs on a three year deal.
In Kansas City, Mathieu was now viewed as one of the leaders of the defensive unit and commanded the back of the field brilliantly. His very first year with the team saw him win his first ring as the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers 31-20. Despite playing well for the team and becoming one of the team leaders, Mathieu was unable to get a new contract from the team after the 2021 season despite him being ready to take a pay cut.
In hindsight, it may have been a blessing in disguise for the New Orleans native as it provided him the opportunity to return home and play for his home team.
FAQs
A. While playing for LSU, Tyrann Mathieu was given the nickname of the Honey Badger due to his similarity to the animal. Mathieu was a strong, hard hitter who was ready to take on men bigger than him in size, he was quick and athletic and the top of his hair was blond similar to a blond patch of hair on the animal.
A. Since 2022, Tyrann Mathieu is on a three year deal with his hometown team, the New Orleans Saints.
A. Tyrann Mathieu was part of the 2019 Super Bowl winning Kansas City Chiefs squad giving him his first and only ring to date.
A. In 2012, Tyrann Mathieu was kicked off the LSU team as he had violated the school's substance-abuse policy.
