Tyrann Mathieu, born on May 13, 1992, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is an American professional football safety currently playing for the New Orleans Saints. He gained prominence during his college years at LSU, where he earned the nickname “Honey Badger” for his tenacious playing style. In 2011, Mathieu was honored with the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defensive player and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
After a year away from football in 2012, Mathieu was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Throughout his NFL career, he has also played for the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he won Super Bowl LIV. In 2022, Mathieu signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, returning to his hometown team.
In March 2025, Mathieu agreed to restructure his contract with the Saints, ensuring his stay for the 2025 season. The new deal includes a lower cap hit and performance-based incentives, allowing him to earn up to $7.2 million.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Mathieu is deeply committed to community service. In January 2025, he was honored with the Excellence in Mentoring Award by MENTOR for his efforts to support youth mentoring, including his work with the Tyrann Mathieu Foundation and as an ambassador for Son of a Saint.
He also hosts events like “Tyrann’s Turkeys,” providing Thanksgiving meals to families in need, and the annual Christmas Blessings dinner, where he surprises families from the New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter with gifts.
In November 2024, Mathieu was nominated for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, recognizing his exemplary sportsmanship on the field.