Tyrann Mathieu

Tyrann Mathieu

refer to caption

Mathieu at University of Phoenix Stadium in August 2016.
No. 32 Arizona Cardinals
Position: Safety[1]
Personal information
Date of birth: (1992-05-13) May 13, 1992
Place of birth: New Orleans, Louisiana
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school: New Orleans (LA) St. Augustine
College: LSU
NFL Draft: 2013 / Round: 3 / Pick: 69
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 12, 2016
Total tackles: 224
Sacks: 3.0
Forced fumbles: 3
Pass deflections: 34
Interceptions: 9
Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at NFL.com

Tyrann Devine Mathieu (pronounced /ˈtaɪrən ˈmæθjuː/ TY-rən MATH-a-ew; born May 13, 1992) is an American football safety[2] for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU). Following his 2011 college season during which he was recognized as a consensus All-American and a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, Mathieu was dismissed from the LSU Tigers football program.[3] He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Early years

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mathieu 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.

While living in New Orleans' Central City, Mathieu was raised by his grandparents. His biological mother was absent the majority of the time and his biological father, Darrin Hayes, has been incarcerated for murder most of his life. After his grandfather died in 1997, Mathieu was adopted by his uncle, Tyrone Mathieu, and aunt, Sheila Mathieu.[4]

Mathieu also ran track and field for St. Augustine's track team and was a member of the relay team. He was one of the state's top performers in the long jump. He had personal-best leaps of 1.93 meters in the high jump and 7.29 meters in the long jump.[5]

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com,[6] Mathieu was listed as the No. 13 cornerback in the nation in 2010.[7]

College career

Mathieu accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Louisiana State University, where he played for coach Les Miles' LSU Tigers football team from 2010 to 2011.

2010 season

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.[8]

2011 season

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.[9] On special teams, Mathieu had 26 punt returns for 420 yards, with 2 returned for a touchdown.[10] On October 19, 2011, Mathieu was suspended for one game following a violation of LSU's drug policy.[11] 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.[12] 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 a LSU defensive player won the nation's top defensive honor following Patrick Peterson, who also wore number 7, in 2010.

2012 season

On August 10, 2012, LSU 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.[13] Mathieu had formerly expressed an interest in returning to the program for the 2013 season.[14] On August 17, 2012, Mathieu withdrew from LSU and entered a drug rehabilitation program in Houston, Texas.[3] 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.[15]

On November 29, 2012, it was announced that Mathieu would enter the NFL Draft.[16] 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.[17] He also later participated at his pro day on March 27, 2013.[18]

College career statistics

Year GP Tackles Sacks Pass Defense Fumbles Blocked
Solo Ast Total Loss–Yards No–Yards Int–Yards BU PD QBH Rcv–Yards-TD FF Kick
2010 13 36 23 59 8.5–45 4.5–38 2–0 7 0 1 2–13-0 5 0
2011 13 60 17 77 7.5–45 1.5–10 2–16 9 17 3 4–39-2 6 0

[9][19]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Ht WtArm lengthHand size 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP
5 ft  8 3⁄4 in 186 lb 31 1⁄8 in 9 3⁄8 in 4.51 s 1.49 s 2.56 s 4.14 s 6.87 s 34 in 9 ft 9 in 4 reps
All values from NFL combine.[17]

On April 26, 2013, the Arizona Cardinals selected Mathieu with the 69th overall pick in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. There was a statement from Cardinals' head coach Bruce Arians that Mathieu would be playing free safety.[20] 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".[21]

Mathieu during training camp in 2013

In a Week 1 loss to the St. Louis Rams, Mathieu forced a fumble on tight end Jared Cook by knocking the ball out of his hand just before he entered the end zone, and one of his teammates recovered the football. In a Week 2 win against the Lions, Mathieu made the game winning tackle when he stopped Nate Burleson short on 4th and 4.[22] In the Week 3 loss against the New Orleans Saints, Mathieu intercepted a Drew Brees endzone pass for his first career interception.[23] On December 8, Mathieu tore both his left ACL and LCL in a victory over the St. Louis Rams. On December 10, he was placed on the injured reserve, officially ending his rookie season.[24] Mathieu was named a first-team All-Pro at the slot cornerback position by Pro Football Focus after the season.[25]

In 2014, Mathieu played 13 games and finished the year with 39 tackles, an interception, four defended passes, and a fumble recovery.

In the offseason of 2015, the Cardinals transitioned Mathieu to cornerback due to a lack of players at the position. On December 20, 2015 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.[26] Mathieu was invited to his first Pro bowl after the season and was named by the Associated Press as a first-team All-Pro safety.[27][28]

On August 2, 2016, Mathieu signed a five-year, $62.5 million extension with the Cardinals. In Week 8 against the Panthers, Mathieu left the game with a shoulder injury. He was ruled out from three to six weeks.[29]

Career NFL statistics

Career statistics Tackles Sacks Interceptions Other
Season Team Games Solo Ast Total Sack Int Yds IntTD DefTD FFum FRec PD Safety
2013 ARI 13 65 3 68 1.0 2 7 0 0 1 0 9 0
2014 ARI 13 35 2 37 0.0 1 9 0 0 0 1 4 0
2015 ARI 14 80 9 89 1.0 5 92 1 0 1 0 17 0
Career 40 180 14 194 2.0 8 108 1 0 2 1 30 0

[30]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.azcardinals.com/team/roster/tyrann-mathieu/c8ba0c82-e771-4dba-9251-ba9714de1764/
  2. ↑ http://www.azcardinals.com/team/roster/tyrann-mathieu/c8ba0c82-e771-4dba-9251-ba9714de1764/
  3. 1 2 "Tyrann Mathieu in rehab center". ESPN. August 17, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  4. ↑ Mark Schabach. "Tyrann Mathieu not running from past".
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Tyrann Mathieu Recruiting Profile
  7. ↑ Rivals.com cornerbacks 2010
  8. ↑ "Felix McKnight Trophy Winner — Defensive Back Tyrann Mathieu". AT&T Cotton Bowl. January 8, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Tryann Mathieu Stats". ESPN. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  10. ↑ Individual Punt Returning Leaders, Fox Sports, December 4, 2011. Archived October 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ Brett Martel (October 19, 2011). "Tyrann Mathieu Suspended: LSU Suspends Star Cornerback For Auburn Game". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  12. ↑ Chris Low (October 15, 2011). "Tyrann Mathieu talks a good game". ESPN. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  13. ↑ Kleinpeter, Jim (10 August 2012). "LSU's Tyrann Mathieu dismissed for failed drug test, source says". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  14. ↑ David Helman (August 14, 2012). "Les Miles discusses Tyrann Mathieu". ESPN. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Tyrann Mathieu enrolls at LSU". ESPN. September 4, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  16. ↑ Joe Schad (November 29, 2012). "Tyrann Mathieu to enter NFL draft". ESPN. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  17. 1 2 "Tyrann Mathieu Combine Profile". National Football League. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  18. ↑ Copeland, Kareem (November 29, 2012). "Tyrann Mathieu, 'Honey Badger,' eyes 2013 NFL Draft". National Football League. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Tyrann Mathieu". College Football. Sports-Reference. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  20. ↑ Mike Florio (April 26, 2013). "Mathieu will play free safety for Cardinals". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu making life-style changes". NFL AM. National Football League. May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Arizona Cardinals clinch victory". NFL.com. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  23. ↑ "Tyrann Mathieu hauls in first regular season interception". NBC. NBCsports. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  24. ↑ Patra, Kevin (December 9, 2013). "Arizona Cardinals' Tyrann Mathieu tears ACL, LCL". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  25. ↑ "2013 PFF All-Pro Team". profootballfocus.com. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Tyrann Mathieu will miss the season with a torn ACL". NFL.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  27. ↑ McManaman, Bob (December 23, 2015). "Cardinals have 7 players named to the Pro Bowl". azcentral.com. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  28. ↑ Fox Sports Arizona (January 8, 2016). "Cardinals' Peterson, Mathieu named to All-Pro team". foxsports.com. Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  29. ↑ Smith, Michael. "Tyrann Mathieu out 3-6 weeks with shoulder injury". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  30. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/15851/tyrann-mathieu
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