Tyrann Mathieu Tyrann Devin Mathieu ( pronounced ; born May 13 , 1992 ) , is an American football free safety and cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for Louisiana State University ( LSU ) . Following his 2011 college season during which he was recognized as a consensus All - American and a finalist for the Heisman Trophy , Mathieu was dismissed from the LSU Tigers football program . He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft . Early years . A native of New Orleans , Louisiana , Mathieu attended St . Augustine High School , where he played for the St . Augustine Purple Knights high school football team . He recorded 32 tackles , five interceptions , one sack and one fumble recovery as a senior , and was a participant in the inaugural Team USA vs . The World game . He was rated a four - star recruit by Rivals . com . College career . Mathieu received an athletic scholarship to attend Louisiana State University , where he played for coach Les Miles ' LSU Tigers football team from 2010 to 2011 . 2010 season . As a true freshman in 2010 , Mathieu played in all 13 games with one start . He finished the season with 59 tackles , 3 sacks and 2 interceptions . He was the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the 2011 Cotton Bowl Classic after he recorded seven tackles , one tackle for loss , two forced fumbles , one fumble recovery , one interception , one sack and one pass breakup . 2011 season . At the end of the 2011 regular season , Mathieu had 77 total tackles ( 60 solo and 17 assists ) , 1 . 5 sacks , 5 forced fumbles , 4 fumble recoveries ( 2 returned for a touchdown ) , and 2 interceptions . On special teams , Mathieu had 26 punt returns for 420 yards , with 2 returned for a touchdown . On October 19 , 2011 , Mathieu was suspended for one game following a violation of LSU ' s drug policy . Mathieu was named the most valuable player of the 2011 SEC Championship Game . Mathieu earned the nickname " The Honey Badger " for his tenacious ability to play extremely tough football against much larger opponents , as well as his knack for making big plays . This led to him being a Heisman Trophy finalist . On December 8 , 2011 , Mathieu was awarded the Chuck Bednarik Award , given to the year ' s best defensive player in college football . This marked the second straight year a LSU defensive player won the nation ' s top defensive honor following Patrick Peterson , who also wore number 7 , in 2010 . 2012 season . On August 10 , 2012 , LSU coach Les Miles announced that Mathieu would be dismissed from the football team due to a violation of team rules . News outlets reported that the dismissal was a result of repeated drug test failures , although Miles did not confirm those reports . Mathieu had formerly expressed an interest in returning to the program for the 2013 season . On August 17 , 2012 , Mathieu withdrew from LSU and entered a drug rehabilitation program in Houston , Texas . Mathieu ' s withdrawal was expected to last for the entire 2012 - 2013 academic year . However , on September 4 , 2012 , Mathieu ended his withdrawal and enrolled for fall semester classes . On October 25 , 2012 , Mathieu and three other LSU former players were arrested on possession of marijuana . On November 29 , 2012 , it was announced that Mathieu would enter the NFL Draft . Mathieu participated at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine on February 26 , 2013 . He ran a 4 . 50 40 Yard Dash , had 4 reps of 225 pounds , a 34 inch vertical , and a 117 inch broad jump . Tyrann would also later participate at his pro day on March 27 , 2013 . Professional career . 2013 NFL Draft . On April 26 , 2013 , the Arizona Cardinals selected Mathieu with the 69th overall pick in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft . There was a statement from Cardinals ' head coach Bruce Arians that Mathieu would be playing Free Safety . Mathieu stated that he would remove himself from any association with his nickname , saying that he wants to be known as " Tyrann Mathieu " as opposed to " Honey Badger " . 2013 . In a Week 1 loss to the St . Louis Rams , Mathieu forced a fumble on tight end Jared Cook Jr . by knocking the ball out of his hand just before he entered the endzone allowing one of his teammates to recover the football . In a Week 2 win against the Lions , Mathieu made the game winning tackle when he stopped Nate Burleson short on 4th and 4 . In the Week 3 loss against the New Orleans Saints , Mathieu intercepted a Drew Brees endzone pass for his first career interception . On December 8 , Mathieu tore both his ACL and LCL in a victory over the St . Louis Rams . On December 10 , he was placed on the injured reserve , officially ending his rookie season .