I’ll be honest — this one hits hard.
Tyrann Mathieu, the Honey Badger himself, announced his retirement from the NFL this week, and as a lifelong fan, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. For 12 seasons, he gave us everything: the hustle, the heart, the swag, the picks, the leadership. And now… it’s the end of an era.
From LSU to the League — We Watched You Rise
We watched Tyrann become a star at LSU, where he flew around the field like his hair was on fire. He wasn’t the biggest guy, but he had the biggest heart. Every time the ball was in the air, you just knew the Honey Badger was about to make a play. He made defense fun to watch — dangerous, even.
When he entered the NFL, I followed every snap. Arizona, Houston, Kansas City, and finally, coming back home to New Orleans — it felt like things had come full circle. Seeing #32 in the black and gold made us proud. That was our guy. Our Louisiana kid. Our story.
More Than Just a Player
Tyrann’s career wasn’t just about football. It was about resilience. Redemption. Growth. He had every reason to fold, to fade away. But he didn’t. He kept fighting. And he came back better, stronger, smarter. Watching that unfold made us believe in second chances — not just for him, but for ourselves, too.
And off the field? He never forgot where he came from. He gave back, he showed up, he inspired. That matters.
The Plays I’ll Never Forget
- The one-handed interception against the Giants.
- The pick-six in Kansas City.
- That stop on 4th down against Atlanta in the Dome.
- Every time he pointed to his temple — “It’s mental.”
- And let’s not forget that Super Bowl ring
Tyrann didn’t just play defense. He owned moments. Big ones.
So What Now?
Now, he walks away on his own terms. Healthy. Respected. Beloved.
And as fans, we just want to say: thank you. Thank you for playing like every down mattered. Thank you for being unapologetically you. Thank you for making us proud to wear that #32 jersey.
Retire knowing you left it all on the field — and that your story will live on in every undersized kid who’s told they can’t, in every fan who believed in the Honey Badger when others didn’t.
Enjoy the next chapter, Tyrann. You earned it.
Forever a fan. 🖤⚜️
#ThankYouTyrann #HoneyBadgerForever #LSU #Saints #NFLLegend