Tyrann Mathieu's 'Honey Badger' nickname, explained: How LSU, NFL star earned iconic moniker

From high school to the NFL, Tyrann Mathieu put together one of the more impressive football careers.

When thinking of some of the game's most iconic players, they often have an equally iconic nickname to accompany them. Mathieu's "Honey Badger" moniker is one of the more memorable nicknames in sports.

After starring at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, Mathieu was a standout at nearby LSU, earning the catchy nickname in the process. Despite issues that ultimately led to his dismissal from the program, Mathieu found his way to the NFL, where the nickname followed him throughout a 12-year career.

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Here's how the four-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion's nickname came to be.

Why was Tyrann Mathieu called the 'Honey Badger'?

Mathieu earned the "Honey Badger" nickname during his LSU years because of his fierce style of play in a relatively diminutive frame. Honey badgers are known for fearlessness and meanness, two characteristics Mathieu took with him onto the field.

Mathieu's signature dyed blond hairstyles resembled the patches of hair on a honey badger's back.

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What is a honey badger?

A honey badger is a mammal found mostly across Africa, Southwest Asia and India.

The species has a reputation as a fearless animal, and has been referred to as the "most fearless animal in the world", as well as the "meanest animal in the world." The animal took on new fame after a viral YouTube video.

Honey Badger YouTube video

The honey badger achieved a new level of popularity thanks to the viral YouTube video titled "The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger," which was uploaded in January 2011.

The video, which has since amassed over 100 million views, features a narrator named Randall, who dubs playful narration over a previously existing National Geographic video. 

(Warning: Video contains NSFW language)

How the nickname followed Tyrann Mathieu to the NFL

Mathieu had a troubled few years at LSU, and wanted to shed the "Honey Badger" persona before he was drafted in 2013. 

"I think at LSU, the Honey Badger (persona) came to an abrupt end," Mathieu said during the 2013 Senior Bowl. "I definitely want to do it the right way this time."

In 2019, however, Mathieu relented and accepted his collegiate nickname, which he embraced for the remainder of his NFL career.

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 5, 2019