Tyrann Mathieu admits drinking bleach to pass college drug tests

Long before Tyrann Mathieu received NFL All-Pro honors, the defensive back rose to fame at LSU.

Mathieu only played two collegiate seasons before he was fired in 2012 and entered a drug rehab program. In a recent episode of his podcast “In the Bayou with Tyrann Mathieu,” the retired football star reflected on resorting to extreme measures to preserve his college football eligibility.

The drastic decision to consume bleach in an attempt to bypass a drug test nearly cut short Mathieu’s life. Mathieu, known as “Honeybadger,” said he took the risk after seeing an article online touting bleach’s ability to manipulate test results.

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LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu during a game against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on October 15, 2011. (Andrew Hancock/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

“I’m just scrolling and scrolling and I come across some bullshit that says put a little bleach in your Coca-Cola,” Mathieu said. “So I did that. … My whole inside felt like it was erupting. I ended up throwing up that shit. At that point, I was like, ‘I’m out of stuff. I don’t know what to do.”

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Mathieu also recalls trying several methods to avoid producing a test result that would disrupt his academic career, including using fake devices or other people’s samples during testing.

“I tried everything in the books,” he said.

The 33-year-old said his experiment with bleach caused more harm than good, adding: “It backfired.”

New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 10, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)

Mathieu finished his freshman season with 4½ sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American the following season. He never returned to the LSU football team after his firing, but instead entered the 2013 NFL Draft.

The Arizona Cardinals selected Mathieu in the third round. Two years later, Mathieu was named to the first Pro Bowl of his career and became a first-team All-Pro selection.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu prepares before the game against the Denver Broncos during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 5, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports)

During his 12-year NFL career, Mathieu became considered one of the best defensive backs in the league. He retired after the 2024 season, finishing his remarkable career as a three-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro selection and with 36 interceptions.

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Mathieu played a key role in the Kansas City Chiefs’ run to the Super Bowl LIV title.

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Tyrann Mathieu Claims LSU’s Drastic Drug Testing Measures Nearly Cost Him His Life: ‘I’ve Tried Everything in the Books’