Former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu: 'I received death threats'
Former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu, a New Orleans native, made his voice heard by speaking out against violence in wake of New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith being shot and killed last week.
However, Mathieu’s comments against Smith’s alleged killer, Cardell Hayes, have also been heard. Now, Mathieu has said on the Rich Eisen Show that he’s received death threats.
Mathieu called Hayes a “coward” on Twitter after the murder.
“I know that dude, he been a hating (expletive) coward…Never knew he’d grow up to be a killer tho…May you get what you deserve coward,” the tweet read.
Mathieu talked about his comment with Eisen, while revealing that the death threats have come from those around Hayes.
“I think it was one of those situations where he was really at the wrong place at the wrong time, and he bumped into the wrong person,” Mathieu said. “I know the guy personally and, Rich, it’s not really for me to put his personal business on air. Because when I came out yesterday and called him a coward, I received death threats from guys in New Orleans — from his relatives. And I’m thinking to myself … ‘What do you guys want from me? I’m only here to speak the truth.'”
On Sunday, Hayes was charged with second-degree murder in Smith’s death.
Hayes is pleading not guilty to the charge, and he’s detailed a story that involves a prior hit and run with a different vehicle about two blocks from the scene of the shooting last Saturday night.