Tyrann Mathieu has surprised the New Orleans Saints by declaring his intention to retire from the NFL on the eve of training camp.

The four-time All-Pro is three years into his stint in NOLA but, after 12 years in the league, has decided that the time is right to say… well, not goodbye.

“As I hang up my cleats, I’m filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that’s shaped me in every way,” Mathieu, nicknamed ‘Honey Badger’for the relentless play that made him a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011, wrote on social media. “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.

“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.”

Despite ascending to become a respected team-mate and opponent in the pro game, Mathieu’s career may never have happened had he not overcome being dismissed from the LSU programme for repeated substance abuse violations a year after his Heisman nomination. Although he was out of the game and facing an uncertain future, his prior tape showed enough to convince Arizona to take him in the third round of the 2013 draft — and being reunited with former college team-mate in the Cardinals secondary proved to be the turning point for a young player who could easily have fallen by the wayside.

The New Orleans native went on to play for the Houston Texans (2018) and Kansas City Chiefs (2019-21) before ‘coming home’ and signing with the Saints in 2022. Starting all 51 games in his three seasons back in Louisiana underlined the toughness which marked Mathieu’s career, in which he made 180 regular season appearance, claimed 36 interceptions — including four pick-sixes — 106 pass break-ups, seven forced fumbles, 11 sacks and 834 tackles. As well as attaining All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition, he sampled the rarefied air of a Super Bowl winner as part of the Chiefs’ 2019 season victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Perhaps recognising his own troubled past, Mathieu was heavily involved in the community service, twice earning a Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination and culminating with the launch of his own foundation, with the aim of impacting the lives of financially disadvantaged youngsters ‘through encouragement, opportunities and resources’ in his hometown.

Although his announcement leaves the Saints with some work to do in order to shore up a secondary that will be poorer for his absence, general manager Mickey Loomis insists that the club had been aware that Mathieu was mulling retirement.

“It just came up in the last few days,” Loomis told the media in his annual pre-camp address. “We really appreciate his time with us — I have a lot of good things to say about him — but what a great career. I just think he’s one of those guys that just commands respect by his actions and his deeds. He’s got a great message, he’s very thoughtful, intelligent — a super smart player — and (he’s) about all the right things on the football field and his experiences in life.”