Tyrann Mathieu’s Risky Decision During College Football Career

Before becoming an NFL All-Pro, Tyrann Mathieu gained prominence at LSU. He played just two seasons in college, but his journey took a turn in 2012 when he was released from the team and subsequently entered a drug rehabilitation program. Reflecting on this period in a recent podcast episode, Mathieu shared the extreme lengths he went to in order to keep his college football eligibility.

One particularly drastic measure involved swallowing bleach to pass a drug test, a decision that nearly cost him his life. Known as “Honey Badger,” Mathieu revealed that he was influenced by an online suggestion that bleach could alter test outcomes. “I did that, and it felt like my whole inside was just erupting,” he recalled. “I ended up throwing it all up. At that point, I was like, ‘I’m out of tricks. I don’t know what to do.'”

He reminisced about experimenting with various methods to dodge unfavorable test results, such as using fake samples or relying on someone else’s contributions during exams. “I tried everything in the book,” Mathieu said, lamenting that ultimately, the bleach incident backfired on him.

Mathieu, now 33, experienced significant success during his freshman season, racking up 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He earned recognition as the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was named an All-American in his second season. Following his release, he opted not to return to the LSU team and entered the NFL Draft in 2013.

The Arizona Cardinals picked him in the third round, and by 2015, Mathieu had made it to his first Pro Bowl and was selected for the first-team All-Pro.

Over a 12-year NFL career, Mathieu established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league, planning to retire after the 2024 season. He boasts three Pro Bowl selections, four All-Pro designations, and 36 interceptions, while playing a crucial role in the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory.