During his 12-year career, Mathieu was chosen for three NFL Pro Bowls, three AP All-Pro teams, and the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team
Tyrann Mathieu, a safety for the New Orleans Saints, announced his retirement from the NFL today
The Arizona Cardinals initially selected Mathieu, 5-9, 190, a New Orleans native and standout at St. Augustine High School, out of Louisiana State University in the third round (69th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Mathieu played in 180 regular season games with 171 starts during his 12-year NFL career with the Indianapolis Cardinals (2013–17), Houston Texans (2018), Kansas City Chiefs (2019–21), and Saints (2022–24). He recorded 834 tackles (681 solo), 111 sacks, 36 interceptions returned for 530 yards, four brought back for touchdowns, 106 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, and eight fumble recoveries. When he retired, his 36 selections ranked second among active NFL players.
He recorded 49 tackles (40 solo), a 17-yard interception return, and four pass breakups in 11 postseason games with 10 starts. Mathieu was chosen for the 2010 All-Decade Team of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, three Pro Bowls, and three AP All-Pro teams.
During his three seasons with the Saints, he started all 51 of his games and recorded 228 tackles (161 solo), one sack, 24 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 10 interceptions for 195 yards in returns, including one carried back for a touchdown. Mathieu tied for the team lead in picks in 2023 (four) and 2024 (three), and he led the Saints in interceptions in 2022 with three. As the only secondary player to start all 17 games in 2024, Mathieu led the club with four takeaways with 62 tackles (47 solo), three interceptions, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Respected greatly off the field, Mathieu was chosen as a team nominee for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award while playing for the Chiefs in 2021 and the Saints in 2023. By offering resources and experiences, particularly during the summer and around the holidays, Mathieu aimed to improve the lives of underprivileged youngsters and families, especially those in his hometown, through his Tyrann Mathieu Foundation.
