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Super Bowl champion Tyrann Mathieu has announced his retirement from the NFL.
Mathieu retires after three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, during which he didn't miss a single regular season game.
His decision to walk away from football comes as a surprise, given he took part in the team's veteran minicamp during the offseason.
The 33-year-old won a Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs when he was part of the team that beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in 2020.
'As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with a gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way,' Mathieu wrote on social media Tuesday.
'From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing. Football gave me purpose, discipline, and memories that will stay with me forever. But more than anything, it gave me a community.
Super Bowl champion Tyrann Mathieu has announced he is retiring from the NFL at 33
His decision to walk away is a shock, given he took part in the Saints' veteran minicamp
'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. This isn’t goodbye — it’s just the next chapter.'
Nicknamed 'The Honey Badger' while at LSU, Mathieu enjoyed 12 seasons in the NFL after being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2013.
He spent five seasons in the desert before moving to the Houston Texans for a single year. From there he was signed by the Chiefs and helped Andy Reid's defense to Super Bowl glory.
Mathieu was named a first-team All-Pro three times and went to three Pro Bowls in his career.
