Tyrann Mathieu grateful for Deion Sanders' guidance throughout NFL career

Tyrann Mathieu's football journey has been one wild ride. The former LSU standout enters his 11th NFL season and can finally be at a place in his career where he can laugh and enjoy what comes next with the New Orleans Saints.

The "Honey Badger" went on the record with The Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday and talked about having Deion Sanders as a mentor. Mathieu said Coach Prime's guidance started after leaving LSU and waiting out the year before the 2013 NFL Draft.

"Deion visited me when I was in Florida with Patrick Peterson's dad," Mathieu recalled. "He was always in support of me. He was always encouraging and gave me these words of advice. Just say focused and 'Stay committed to football and obviously keep God first. And try to keep good people around you. I was always thankful for Deion and the encouraging words he still gives me."

Eisen asked Mathieu about the naysayers, who said Sanders was only coaching for another gig, and this was only a temporary stop. Not only is that farthest from the truth, but he reminded people of Deion's coaching history out of Jackson State or CU.

"He's self-motivated," Mathieu said about Sanders. "We all kind of know that from his playing days. He always believes in himself and his abilities of what he can do. But I was always grateful because he always tried to pour that into me." I'm always grateful to hear his voice."

Sanders' ability to connect with the younger generation of NFL talent has always set him apart from the others. Oftentimes, it's not about football, but rather life and Prime being able to use his wisdom.

Mathieu's one of the fortunate few who was able to turn a bad situation into better days. "The shift for me was not playing my last year at LSU in 2012," Mathieu told Eisen.

It was that period of rest and recovery that refueled the "Honey Badger" for the lead up to a lengthy NFL career. Mathieu gives credit to being in Arizona with Patrick Peterson, along with the veteran leadership of Larry Fitzgerald and Denver native and Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient Calais Campbell that helped him navigate through his 20's.

The "Honey Badger" earned a Super Bowl win as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. He signed with the Saints last year, which was his fourth team since joining the league ten years ago. Mathieu posted a career-high 91 total tackles with three interceptions and a sack last year.