BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -
The Honey Badger's rise to fame at LSU was a quick one. The ride, at times, was a bumpy one, but always memorable.
He arrived quietly... but of course he wouldn't stay that way.
"LSU has its 19th football commitment for its 2010 recruiting
class. Saint Aug defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, #13, will keep wearing purple
and gold, impressing LSU head coach Les Miles and his staff at the Tigers
football camp this week," WAFB Sports Director Steve Schneider reported
July 22, 2009.
Mathieu quickly accepted LSU's scholarship offer over the likes
of Southern Miss, Tulane and ULM just to name a few.
And speaking of names... That didn't take long either.
"I think it's from a fearless little animal that takes what he
wants from fox caves, bee hives, that kind of stuff," Tyrann Mathieu said
describing his nickname, the Honey Badger.
The nickname and the charisma were quickly a hit with the fans at
LSU.
Mathieu's bio
is extensive. He is a 2012 National Player of the year candidate, 2011
National Defensive Player of the year, unanimous first-team All-American
and recipient of the Bednarik Award. He became the first defensive back
to be invited to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York since Charles
Woodson of Michigan in 1997.
But the bright lights of Tiger stadium would dim a bit as the
Honey Badger and a few of his teammates were suspended for failing drug tests in 2011.
And while the lights may have been dimmed a bit, Tyrann Mathieu's
choice of a silver metallic looking suit was at least reflective enough to get
things going again.
Mathieu wore the suit in New York City where he traveled in his
failed hunt for the Heisman football award.
"We have to win as a team and lose as a team," said Mathieu last season.
Now this team has lost its number 7.
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