Tyrann Mathieu announces retirement from NFL after 12 seasons

“To every coach who believed in me, every teammate who battled beside me, and every fan who showed up, cheered, and rode with me through the highs and lows, thank you. You gave me strength when I needed it most, and your love carried me farther than I ever imagined. I hope I made you proud out there,” Mathieu wrote. “This isn’t goodbye — it’s just the next chapter. Much love, always.”

Tyrann Mathieu played his college football at LSU. During that time, he won the Bednarik Award and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year. However, ahead of the 2012 season, he would be dismissed from the team due to what then-head coach Les Miles described as a violation of team rules. He would not return to school, instead entering the 2013 NFL Draft.

In the third round, Mathieu was selected by the Arizona Cardinals. He’d play for Arizona through the 2017 season, before spending time with the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and, ultimately, the New Orleans Saints.

During that career, Mathieu won a Super Bowl with Kansas City. He also was a three-time First-Team All-Pro selection and a one-time Second-Team All-Pro selection. On top of that, he also made it to three Pro Bowls, most recently in 2021.

Over the course of his 12 NFL seasons, Tyrann Mathieu made 838 total tackles, 45 tackles for a loss, and 11 sacks. He had 36 career interceptions and 100 passes defended to go with seven forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.

It was a phenomenal NFL career for Tyrann Mathieu. Now, he’s set to move on to the next stage of his life, beyond what football has offered to him already.