Saints, LSU legend Tyrann Mathieu retires from the NFL
New Orleans Saints host Las Vegas Raiders, Sun., Dec. 29, 2024.
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - New Orleans Saints and former LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu has announced his retirement from the NFL, via his Instagram.
Mathieu, 33, a New Orleans native, St. Augustine High School and LSU alumnus, played 12 NFL seasons after being selected in the third round of the 2013 draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He went on to play for the Cardinals (2013–17), Houston Texans (2018), Kansas City Chiefs (2019–21) and Saints (2022–24).
Over 180 regular-season games (171 starts), Mathieu recorded 834 tackles (685 solo), 11 sacks, 36 interceptions and four defensive touchdowns. He also forced seven fumbles, and recovered eight fumbles.
At the time of his retirement, his 36 career interceptions ranked second among active players.
In his three seasons with New Orleans, Mathieu started all 51 games, compiling 228 tackles (161 solo), one sack, 10 interceptions (195 return yards, one touchdown), 24 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and two recoveries. He led the team in takeaways each season and was its lone secondary player to start every game in 2024.
Mathieu earned three Pro Bowl selections, three Associated Press All‑Pro honors, and was named to the NFL’s 2010s All‑Decade Team.
He also won Super Bowl LIV with Kansas City in 2020.
Tyrann Mathieu’s departure marks the end of a legendary career for the “Honey Badger,” whose playmaking and leadership left an indelible mark on every team he played for—and especially his hometown franchise.
