McNeese State coach Matt Viator confirmed Saturday morning that he met with Tyrann Mathieu on Friday night after receiving permission from LSU. The Heisman Trophy finalist was kicked off LSU's team Friday morning for an undisclosed violation of team policy. (Associated Press)
McNeese confirms Honey Badger's visit
Last Modified: Sunday, August 12, 2012 8:14 PM
By Alex Hickey / American Press
McNeese State head football coach Matt Viator confirmed Saturday morning that he met with Tyrann Mathieu on Friday night after receiving permission from LSU.
The Heisman Trophy finalist was kicked off LSU’s team Friday morning for an undisclosed violation of team policy.
“I received a call from Tyrann after practice on Friday that he wanted to come and meet with us,” Viator said in a school release. “We contacted LSU to get permission to talk to him and he arrived on campus later that night. We visited for an hour-and-a-half and then he went back home to New Orleans.”
Viator later specified that he had a voice mail from Mathieu when he returned to his office after McNeese’s Friday evening practice, which was the first he had directly heard from the “Honey Badger.” Mathieu indicated he was leaving Baton Rouge for Lake Charles in the message.
The release from Sports Information Director Matthew Bonnette also stated, “To McNeese’s knowledge, Mathieu has not made a decision on his intentions and there will be no other comments from McNeese about the issue at this time.”
The confirmation of Mathieu’s visit followed a full day of speculation as to his whereabouts, precipitated by former LSU kicker Josh Jasper’s statement on Twitter that Mathieu had already transferred to McNeese. The chatter picked up more steam late night as a cellphone photo of Mathieu inside of the Jack V. Doland Field House made the rounds on the social-media site.
LSU coach Les Miles said he is “passively involved” in Mathieu’s search for a new school. Published reports indicated Jackson State and Prairie View A&M are also being considered.
“I am passively involved, in other words, I know what’s going on,” Miles said. “But I’m not directing it in any way by nature of the fact that he’s no longer on our team. I’m following it pretty closely.
“What I’d like for him is what’s best for Tyrann. I would like for Tyrann to be in an environment that would be conducive to his developing and getting his degree, and playing football certainly is a natural thing that comes to him and makes him happy.”
McNeese defensive back Terence Cahee said the Cowboys have done a good job of blocking out the distractions that have Lake Charles and the college football world as a whole buzzing.
“The coaches and leaders of the team have done a good job of keeping everybody focused inside the house,” Cahee said. “Our goal is Aug. 30, Middle Tennessee. Whatever happens, happens.”
Posted By: Miles Williams On: 8/16/2012
Title: Really??
This guy is trouble. He played for LSU! How many young men get this chance. And he didn't learn from the first incident?
McNeese, wake-up..
Posted By: carroll redd On: 8/14/2012
Title: fallen tiger
why is every thing about money when a talent is involved? he needs help from the people who are going to make millions off of him, dont knock someone who really dont know better me for one prays he gets things turned around before it is to late
Posted By: Troy Chatman On: 8/12/2012
Title: Fresh Start
I ,thank the young man get the picture now.i'm a former McNeese football player my self,McNeese is a great school and very fair they will put things in place for him.P.s. cowboy nations give him a chance
Posted By: Greta Ratliff On: 8/12/2012
Title: 2nd chance......
This young man was graced by God with a talent few have. I hope & pray he has learned his lesson. He would be a huge asset to McNeese, but only if he is drug free. Surely, he realizes the mistakes he made could hurt his future, too.
Posted By: TERENCE CAHEE SR On: 8/12/2012
Title:
America believes in giving second chances, not third forth and fifth. this guy WAS a hiesman trophy candidate , and if he doesnt respect his self enough to stay clean @ LSU a footbsll powerhouse that gets national exposure every weekend , HE SURE AS HECK WONT STAY CLEAN AT MSU... I SAY HE NEEDS TO KEEP IT MOVING
Posted By: W. Joubert On: 8/12/2012
Title: Why Not?
It McNeese gives him a chance he needs to be mentored. The truth of the matter is that he needs help. If he wasn't a great football player would we even be talking about him. He needs to get help with coping skills. Sometimes we only expect student-athletes to perform, but not walk them through life skills.....
Posted By: Not Interestes On: 8/11/2012
Title: Pass on this one
Having Mathieu on board with the Cowboys is tempting, no doubt. But I for one would say "keep walking". Trouble and controversy will follow him anywhere he goes.
Posted By: Bob Alleman On: 8/11/2012
Title: Go for it, Cowboys
Do you guys remember Cecil the diesel?..and freddy Harrison? janzen Jackson?.....all a similar story, and none of them "hurt mcNeese, as a result of them giving him a chance. Hes no criminal, just foolish. And think of the attendance boost it will cause
Posted By: Mike croker On: 8/11/2012
Title: Drug test
Don't we have Friday testing? R is our test easier than lsu?
Posted By: Reggie P On: 8/11/2012
Title:
This is American, we believe in giving second chances.We are human we ALL make mistakes. It's not to late to have redemption!
Posted By: C. Armentor On: 8/11/2012
Title: No No McNeese Don't Do It
The guy is a two time loser. Do the Cowboys want to make him a three time loser??
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