Published August 17, 2012 - 8:25am
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
FOX 8 has learned that Tyrann Mathieu will be remain in drug rehab in Houston for the foreseeable future, instead of returning to classes at LSU or any other school. It was a decision he and his family came to together, collectively.
Mathieu’s father, Tyrone Mathieu, said he and his son agreed that if he doesn’t get his addiction under control now, it will demonize him in the future, too.
Former NBA star John Lucas is mentoring Mathieu now. Lucas played 14 years in the NBA before addictions with cocaine and alcohol took control of his life. Lucas successfully completed rehab and had a second career as a NBA coach.
Whether this was his family’s decision or Tyrann’s decision, it’s the right one. Mathieu needs to concentrate on life right now, not football.
Mathieu was dismissed from LSU for reportedly failing too many drug tests, and many will miss the Honey Badger persona he displayed every Saturday. He expressed interest in returning to LSU to sit out this season and play next year. Even though LSU has refuted the report, sources told NOLA that Mathieu was said to have met with Les Miles Tuesday, and Miles advised Mathieu to ‘move on with his career’.
It’s time for Mathieu to get his life in order, because football will be gone one day.
This decision shows maturity on Mathieu’s part, and hopefully he can recover fully and get back on the football field soon.
Good for him. For anyone who has an addiction, addressing it has to come first. Simply transferring to another school without cleaning up his act would set him up for more trouble down the road.
He’s still trying to rationalize. Until he actually feels the pain of what his addiction and his own actions have brought him he will never truly accept responsibility and be able to have a better life. If he’s promised a spot on the team in the future he won’t accept that he’s screwed himself. You can’t help someone by shielding them from the consequences of their actions. It only makes them think they are a victim and not responsible for the pain they are feeling.
I hope that he sticks with it and learns from it. He’s a talented guy but he only deserves what he earns under the same rules as everyone else.
It also brings back memories of Ryan Perrilloux and makes you wonder what’s going on in Baton Rouge, doesn’t it?