Former LSU star cornerback Tyrann Mathieu can't seem to stay out trouble.
The 2011 Heisman trophy finalist was arrested on Thursday in a drug-related crime and was charged with simple possession of marijuana, the Baton Rouge police department said in a release.
The trouble for Mathieu comes months after he was kicked off the LSU team for drug issues and only a week after appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated with his face on top of the headline "Endangered: The Perilous Road of the Honey Badger."
Mathieu was arrested along with three other former LSU players, including quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Karnell Hatcher, who were both charged with simple possession. The third player, defensive back Derrick Bryant, was charged with more serious crimes, including possession with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the Associated Press:
"According to the police report, officers found the marijuana in Mathieu's apartment Thursday afternoon. Mathieu answered the door, and officers 'immediately smelled a strong odor of marijuana,' the police report stated."
Mathieu gave the police the consent to search the apartment, after which the group of officers found multiple bags of marijuana, a digital scale and a grinder. According to the article, "Police say they were called to the apartment complex after receiving a complaint about a man, who later was identified as the 22-year-old Jefferson, forcing his way through the security gate before going to Mathieu's apartment."
Jefferson had previously been arrested after allegedly being involved in a bar fight in August last season. He was the quarterback for the team in last year's national title game against Alabama. Hatcher was a starter last season, but lost his job this year, while Bryant played "a significant role in LSU's 2011 win over Auburn, playing after the suspension of Mathieu created a need for LSU in its nickel package," according to the AP.
Following Mathieu's departure from LSU in August for failing a drug test, he worked with former NBA player John Lucas to help turn his life around, including entering drug rehab.
He then began taking classes again at LSU as a regular student and held out hope that he could one day return to the Tigers football program. Now that is in serious jeopardy, as is his prospects of an NFL career.
Yes, many professional players have had personal and family issues, but as long as Mathieu proves to be immature and irresponsible, no NFL team is going to give him millions of dollars to play for them. He is eligible for the NFL draft in April, but it is unclear what he will do now.
The Sports Illustrated story spoke of a tough upbringing, including a father who was put in jail for murder when Mathieu was only two years old. It also spoke of how he has tried to clean up his life and stay on the right path now that he is off the LSU team. That clearly has not continued for the troubled star.
According to the article:
"In 1994, Hayes was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Tyrann was two. His mother, Tyra Mathieu, was a struggling single mom, so Tyrann spent his first five years living with his maternal grandparents. After his grandfather died, an uncle, Tyrone Mathieu, and his wife, Sheila, took Tyrann in and raised him with their kids. Throughout, Tyrann maintained a relationship with Tyra and Darrineka, who was also the child of Tyra and Cornbread."
Nicknamed the "Honey Badger", Mathieu busted out onto the football scene last year after having a stellar season during LSU's run to the national championship game. His stats last season included 71 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles returned for a touchdown, and 2 interceptions.
Mathieu was also a skilled punt returner, amassing 420 yards, with 2 returned for a touchdown. He won the prestigious Chuck Bednarik Award, which is awarded to the year's best defensive player in college football. Mathieu also was the MVP of the 2011 SEC Championship game.
Following all that success, everything began to fall apart, starting with the failed drug tests in August. The Sports Illustrated article also mentions some possible NCAA violations Mathieu may have committed by allowing his likeness to be used to promote a party at a club.
According to the article,
"Mathieu is also featured on a flyer for a Jan. 14, 2012, party at Club H2O in New Orleans. The flyers and videos may be a violation of NCAA rule 12.5.2.1, which says that anyone who 'accepts any remuneration or permits the use of his or her name or picture to advertise, recommend or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind' is ineligible. A veteran compliance officer with no direct knowledge of Mathieu's case says that any penalties would depend on how commercial the videos were, whether Mathieu knew what they were being used for and if he received any illicit benefits, which would violate a separate NCAA rule. 'If this guy is in the video in an attempt to draw people to the place,' says the officer, 'that's not permissible.' LSU says the school, including coach Les Miles, is unaware of players using their images to promote events or receiving extra benefits."
Mathieu is an extremely talented young man that would make an excellent defensive back in the NFL. But if he cannot keep his personal life in order, he may never achieve the success that he is capable of.
