NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Long before Tyrann Mathieu received NFL All-Pro honors, the defensive back rose to stardom at LSU.
Mathieu played only two college seasons before his dismissal in 2012 and subsequent entry into a drug rehabilitation program. On a recent episode of his podcast “In the Bayou with Tyrann Mathieu,” the retired football star reflected on resorting to extreme measures to preserve his eligibility for college football.
The drastic decision to consume bleach to try to avoid a drug test almost shortened Mathieu’s life. Mathieu, who became known as “Honeybadger,” said he took the risk after seeing an online post touting bleach’s ability to manipulate test results.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu during the game against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on October 15, 2011. (Andrew Hancock/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
“I’m browsing, browsing, and I come across something that said, put some bleach in your Coke,” Mathieu said. “So I did that… I felt like my whole inside was kind of erupting. I ended up throwing up that shit. At that point, I was like, ‘I’m out of tricks. I don’t know what to do.'”
NFL TO DISCUSS REVIEW OF PLAYER SAFETY PENALTIES MISSED BY OFFICIALS
Mathieu also recalled trying various methods to avoid producing a test result that would affect his college career, including using fake devices or other people’s samples during testing.
“I’ve tried everything in the books,” he said.
The 33-year-old said his experience with bleach caused him more harm than good, adding: “It backfired.”
New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 10, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
Mathieu finished his freshman season with 4½ sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He was named Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American the following season. He never returned to the LSU football team after his dismissal, instead entering the 2013 NFL Draft.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Mathieu in the third round. Two years later, Mathieu was named to the first Pro Bowl of his career and became a first-team All-Pro selection.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu prepares before the game against the Denver Broncos during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 5, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports)
During his 12-year NFL career, Mathieu came to be considered one of the league’s premier defensive backs. He retired after the 2024 season, finishing his outstanding career as a three-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro selection and with 36 interceptions.
Mathieu played a key role in the Kansas City Chiefs’ run to the Super Bowl LIV title.
Tyrann Mathieu says drastic drug testing measures at LSU almost cost him his life: ‘I tried everything in the books’
