Tyrann Mathieu: The Honey Badger
Tyrann Mathieu is the Chiefs’ (not so) secret weapon.
This year, Tyrann Mathieu has been one of the best safeties in the NFL, and undoubtedly the defensive MVP for the Chiefs. From a slightly troubled past, he has emerged a shining star.
Mathieu was born on May 13, 1992 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was raised by his grandparents as his biological mother was absent for the majority of his life, and his biological father had been incarcerated for murder. But when his grandfather died in 1997, Mathieu was adopted by his aunt and uncle. He attended St. Augustine High School where he played for the St. Augustine Purple Knights high school football team. He recorded 32 tackles, five interceptions, one sack, and one fumble recovery as a senior. Soon after high school, Mathieu was recruited to play football for Louisiana State University.
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. On special teams, Mathieu had 26 punt returns for 420 yards, with 2 returned for a touchdown. He was named the most valuable player of the 2011 SEC Championship Game and earned the nickname “The Honey Badger” for his incredible ability to defend against much larger opponents. This helped him earn the Chuck Bednarik Award which is given to the year’s best defensive player in college football.
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, but never specified what happened. Mathieu never returned as he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. After six seasons with both the Cardinals and the Texans, Mathieu signed with the Chiefs just before the 2019-2020 season.
This season for the Chiefs, Tyrann Mathieu has evolved from an average player with average stats to a team leader and standout player. In his 7th season, Mathieu has really emerged from his shell. During the 2019-2020 season, Mathieu racked up 4 picks, 71 tackles, and 51 receptions on 76 attempts. All of these stats put him in the upper tier of safeties, subsequently landing him a first-team all-pro selection. Mathieu entirely changed the entire dynamic of the Chiefs’ defense this year, along with the help of new Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Defensive End Frank Clark.
The Chiefs’ defense was horrendous last year, maybe the worst in the league. This year, while admittedly not perfect, Kansas City was very different. Kansas City ranked in the upper half of all defensive stats, and even in the top 7 for points allowed per game. One could, with no doubt, make an argument that the Chiefs would not be Super Bowl Champions without Mathieu.
It sure looks like he has found himself a steady home here in KC.
Back
Mathieu was born on May 13, 1992 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was raised by his grandparents as his biological mother was absent for the majority of his life, and his biological father had been incarcerated for murder. But when his grandfather died in 1997, Mathieu was adopted by his aunt and uncle. He attended St. Augustine High School where he played for the St. Augustine Purple Knights high school football team. He recorded 32 tackles, five interceptions, one sack, and one fumble recovery as a senior. Soon after high school, Mathieu was recruited to play football for Louisiana State University.
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. On special teams, Mathieu had 26 punt returns for 420 yards, with 2 returned for a touchdown. He was named the most valuable player of the 2011 SEC Championship Game and earned the nickname “The Honey Badger” for his incredible ability to defend against much larger opponents. This helped him earn the Chuck Bednarik Award which is given to the year’s best defensive player in college football.
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, but never specified what happened. Mathieu never returned as he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. After six seasons with both the Cardinals and the Texans, Mathieu signed with the Chiefs just before the 2019-2020 season.
This season for the Chiefs, Tyrann Mathieu has evolved from an average player with average stats to a team leader and standout player. In his 7th season, Mathieu has really emerged from his shell. During the 2019-2020 season, Mathieu racked up 4 picks, 71 tackles, and 51 receptions on 76 attempts. All of these stats put him in the upper tier of safeties, subsequently landing him a first-team all-pro selection. Mathieu entirely changed the entire dynamic of the Chiefs’ defense this year, along with the help of new Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Defensive End Frank Clark.
The Chiefs’ defense was horrendous last year, maybe the worst in the league. This year, while admittedly not perfect, Kansas City was very different. Kansas City ranked in the upper half of all defensive stats, and even in the top 7 for points allowed per game. One could, with no doubt, make an argument that the Chiefs would not be Super Bowl Champions without Mathieu.
It sure looks like he has found himself a steady home here in KC.
B-Line
B-Line students write articles that capture what it means to be part of the Barstow community, and record, review and analyze current events.
B-Line's origins date back to 1897, when students published "The School Paper," from Barstow's Quality Hill campus. It was published under various names in following decades, including "The Cornpatch," when Barstow moved to State Line in 1961. Today, B-Line is primarily a digital publication.
B-Line's origins date back to 1897, when students published "The School Paper," from Barstow's Quality Hill campus. It was published under various names in following decades, including "The Cornpatch," when Barstow moved to State Line in 1961. Today, B-Line is primarily a digital publication.
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