Tyrann Mathieu Reveals Insane Way He Tried To Beat A Drug Test At LSU
The journey of Tyrann Mathieu from college star to a Super Bowl champion and respected NFL veteran is one of the most compelling arcs in modern sports. Known affectionately as the “Honey Badger,” Mathieu was a force of nature on the field during his time at LSU. However, off the field, he was fighting a battle that nearly cost him everything.
In a recent and startling revelation, Mathieu opened up about the extreme lengths he went to in order to stay eligible, sharing a story that highlights just how desperate his situation had become.
The Desperate Measure: Turning to Bleach
On a recent episode of the “In the Bayou” podcast, Mathieu peeled back the curtain on the chaotic final days of his collegiate career. Facing the prospect of yet another failed drug test and subsequent dismissal from the team, Mathieu turned to the internet for a solution.
“I’m on Google trying to figure out how the [expletive] I pass this test,” Mathieu recalled.
He stumbled upon an internet myth suggesting that ingesting bleach could mask drug use in a urinalysis. In a moment of pure desperation, Mathieu mixed a capful of bleach with Coca-Cola and drank it. The physical reaction was immediate and violent.
“It feel like my whole insides was just like erupting,” Mathieu said. “I end up throwing that [expletive] up… I thought that was going to save my life. It didn’t. It backfired.”
This admission is terrifying to consider. Ingesting bleach can cause severe damage to the esophagus and stomach, and in larger quantities, it can be fatal. That a world-class athlete felt pushed to such a dangerous extreme underscores the severity of his dependency and his fear of losing football.
Contextualizing the LSU Drug Test Struggles
To understand why Mathieu would take such a risk, you have to look at the duality of his life in 2011. On Saturdays, he was arguably the best defensive player in the country. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist, a turnover machine, and the spark plug for an LSU team that went 13-0 in the regular season.
But away from the lights of Tiger Stadium, things were different. Mathieu admitted to an NFL coach years later that he eventually “quit counting” his failed drug tests after the number reached ten.
The pressure to maintain his “Honey Badger” persona, combined with personal struggles, created a toxic cycle. He was trapping himself in a situation where the only way out seemed to be extreme measures. Despite his attempts to cheat the system, the reality eventually caught up with him. In August 2012, at the peak of his college fame, LSU head coach Les Miles dismissed Mathieu from the team for a violation of team rules.
The Dangers of Misinformation
Mathieu’s story also shines a light on the dangerous misinformation that persists regarding drug testing. Young athletes, terrified of losing scholarships or opportunities, often turn to unverified internet forums for “hacks” to pass tests.
The idea that household chemicals can “cleanse” a system is not only scientifically false but medically hazardous. Mathieu’s experience serves as a stark warning: there is no magic fix. The physical pain he endured was for nothing, as he still failed the tests and eventually lost his spot on the team regardless. It is a harsh lesson that the only way to pass is to be clean, and that desperation often leads to reckless decision-making.
The Honey Badger Redemption
The fact that Tyrann Mathieu is sharing this story today as a healthy, successful 32-year-old is a testament to his resilience. After his dismissal from LSU, many wrote him off. His draft stock plummeted, and he entered the NFL with a “character concern” label that is often a career death sentence.
But the redemption is real. Mathieu entered the league, embraced structure, and committed to turning his life around. He didn’t just survive in the NFL; he thrived.
Over his professional career, he has become a three-time First-Team All-Pro, a three-time Pro Bowler, and a Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. More importantly, he has become a leader in the locker room and a pillar in the community, recently winning the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge.
Moving Forward
Hearing Mathieu speak so candidly about drinking bleach is uncomfortable, but it is necessary. It humanizes the struggle of addiction and shows the terrifying reality behind the glamour of college football stardom.
Tyrann Mathieu didn’t let his lowest moment define him. He survived the bleach, the dismissal, and the public scrutiny to build a legacy defined by growth and leadership. His story is no longer just about the turnovers he created at LSU; it is about the life he saved by finally facing his demons instead of trying to hide them.
