The Honey Badger, once a national icon, went into a hole to escape the spotlight that engulfed him all season.
Sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu’s celebrity soared after his performance in the season-opener against Oregon. YouTube videos were made in his honor, and media outlets from every corner demanded interviews with the blond sophomore.
But that attention quickly turned negative following Mathieu’s suspension against Auburn on Oct. 22 following an alleged failed drug test. Critics quickly emerged and questioned his character and devotion to the team.
Mathieu found himself at the opposite extreme of the national focus and admitted Monday — the first time he spoke to the media since his suspension — he had to mature in order to handle the scrutiny.
“You have to grow up fast in this business,” Mathieu said.
“You have to put a lot of things aside. You’re going to make mistakes. It’s really about you putting that to the side and moving forward to the perspective.”
Before the suspension, Mathieu earned a reputation as a defensive playmaker. His two interceptions and two fumble recoveries for touchdowns created expectations that, at times, he unsuccessfully tried to fulfill.
Mathieu had a combined six tackles against Tennessee and Alabama and recorded only one pass breakup.
“You try to do a little bit more than what you usually do,”
Mathieu said. “You listen to everybody saying what kind of plays you should be making, and all the things you should be doing, and really, you should do the things you’ve been doing that got you to this game.”
Sophomore defensive tackle Michael Brockers said Mathieu needed to come down to earth after all the attention he received.
“When you get a young guy like that, getting so much attention, he needs to be humbled a little bit so he can focus on what he needs to focus on for the team, instead of himself,” Brockers said.
His teammates have noticed a small change in his demeanor since Mathieu returned from his suspension. Senior safety Brandon Taylor said Mathieu has placed an added emphasis on his school work and has a greater appreciation for the opportunities he’s received.
“It makes a person more humble knowing that this is a gift that you have and you can’t just take it for granted,” Taylor said. “You have to work at it everyday and play for the right