Emotional Mathieu ready to make his mark on the NFL.
After two relatively safe picks in the first two rounds, the Arizona Cardinals arguably took the biggest gamble of all in the 2013 NFL Draft, selecting former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu.
The Cardinals used the 69th overall pick on Friday to draft the man known as the ‘Honey Badger’, with the front office and first-year coach Bruce Arians decidedly impressed by what they have seen from the youngster.
The 20-year-old was once considered a Heisman Trophy front-runner and first-round pick, but off-the-field distractions and controversy saw his stock fall as many questioned his character and ability to concentrate on his career.
Having been kicked off the team at LSU in 2011 after multiple failed drug tests, Mathieu didn’t play in 2012 and was later arrested for drug possession.
However, having spent two weeks on a drug treatment program, he has been fully focused on getting back on track and produced a solid performance at the Scouting Combine.
“It’s not about what round I go or how much money I get, it’s about when I get back on the football field and prove everybody wrong,” he told the media as reported by NFL.com.
While Mathieu sounds ready for the next chapter in his career, the Chargers will be hoping he repays their faith on the field and puts the controversy behind him.
