Compared to most other American football players, Tyrann Mathieu appears to be miniature in stature. This, however, does not affect his ability on the field of play as the safety position player has proven again and again that he is a force to reckon with. No surprise that he has been nicknamed Honey Badger by his peers as his tenacious ability gives him a chance against much larger opponents. He also has a knack for making big plays, which can be seen through the numerous accolades he has received over the years.
While playing college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), Tyrann was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, the same year he was an SEC Champion, won the Chuck Bednarik Award, and was a Heisman Trophy finalist. He has since gone ahead to win the Super Bowl and make two First-team All-Pro selections to feature in the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
A Peep Into the Troubled Background of Tyrann Mathieu
Tyrann Mathieu was born on the 13th of May, 1992 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The future NFL player had a very troubled childhood as he was unable to bond with his biological parents right from infancy. His parents were not married and neither of them played an active role in raising him.
His mother Tyra Mathieu was absent for a whole lot of the time while his father, Darrin Hayes, has since been incarcerated for murder for a majority of his son’s life. This left baby Tyrann in the care of relatives. He was first cared for by his grandparents, however, following his grandfather’s death in 1997, he was adopted by his maternal uncle Tyrone and his wife Sheila.
Tyrann managed to get a high school education thanks to his maternal relatives who did not let him waste away. He receieved his high school education at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, Louisiana where he kicked off his football career. He also ran track and field for the school.
In his senior high school year in 2010, Tyrann Mathieu recorded 32 tackles, 5 interceptions, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery to be listed as the nation’s No.13 cornerback. He subsequently earned a scholarship to attend Louisiana State University where he played for the LSU Tigers football team that was coached by Les Miles.
As a freshman in 2010, Tyrann played in all 13 games, starting one. He ended the year with 59 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions. In his sophomore year, the athlete recorded 77 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries (2 returned for a touchdown), and 2 interceptions on his way to an SEC championship. He was further awarded the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in college football.
Mathieu’s football career was almost destroyed in his junior year as he was dismissed from the school’s football team following repeated drug test failures. He ended up attending a drug rehabilitation program in Houston, Texas, before returning to LSU where he indicated that he was going to make himself available for the upcoming 2012 draft.
The Highs and Lows of His Professional Career
At the 2013 NFL draft, Tyrann Mathieu was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the 69th pick. He went on to sign a four-year contract worth $3.05 million that included a $817,187 guaranteed fee and a signing bonus of $265,000.
Tyrann made his debut in the Cardinals’ season-opener against the St. Louis Rams, a game where he recorded his first career tackle and forced a fumble on St Louis Rams’ tight end, Jared Cook. He ended the game with a total of seven solo tackles even though his team ended up losing. In the following weeks, Tyrann who was previously named as a backup, became a starter and was doing pretty well until his season was cut short due to a knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament tear).
Tyrann Mathieu ended up staying with the Cardinals for a total of five years, appearing in 66 games and recording 308 total tackles and 11 interceptions. On the 14th of March 2018, he was released by the team for refusing to take a pay cut. A few days later, the athlete signed a one year contract with the Houston Texans. He finished the season with 89 combined tackles, 3 sacks, 8 passes defended and 2 interceptions to earn a three-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 where he ended up winning his first Super Bowl ring.
How Much Money Has The Athlete Amassed So Far?
With his net worth estimated at $26 million, Tyrann Mathieu is no doubt enjoying a beautiful life as a result of his football career. As earlier stated, his first contract with the Cardinals was a four-year deal worth $3.05 million. In 2016, he put pen to paper on a five-year contract extension worth $62.5 million. He, however, was unable to see the contract through as he was cut in 2018. To play for the Houston Texans for one year, Mathieu was paid $7 million. His latest contract with the Chiefs is a three-year deal worth $42 million.
See Also: Deandre Hopkins Bio, Career and Injury Stats, Age, Height and Other Facts
Who is Tyrann Mathieu’s Girlfriend?
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Tyrann Mathieu is not married yet but he has been able to have kids with some of the women he has dated. His first baby mama is Megan Edwards who birthed his son Noah Thomas in 2013. In 2014, Tyrann had a child with his longtime girlfriend from LSU, Sydni Paige Russell. She gave the athlete his second son, Tyrann Mathieu Jr.
Other than the above two mentioned children, Tyrann is rumored to be the father of a girl named Brylee Zanai Alexander. According to Brylee’s mother, the football pro had a sexual relationship with her while he was still dating Sydni Russell. While Tyrann is yet to comment on this, he is said to be going strong with girlfriend and baby mama Russell who used to be a New Orleans Pelicans cheerleader. The pair is further reported to have gotten engaged in mid-2019.
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