Tyrann Mathieu looks forward to playing hometown Saints

Tyrann Mathieu says he’s excited for the chance to play on the road in New Orleans—a home game of sorts for the Chiefs star safety.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, the Week 15 date against the New Orleans Saints is categorized as a road game. For star safety Tyrann Mathieu, it’s a homecoming in southern Louisiana that excites the All-Pro as he looks ahead to the 2020 regular season schedule.

The NFL revealed the 2020 schedule for all franchises late last week, and Mathieu spoke about his chance to play in his hometown. The schedule hasn’t been kind enough to allow the Honey Badger t to play in New Orleans in a few years.

“It’s always special. I can remember my first time playing down there as a rookie. The Saints beat us up pretty bad, but I was able to get my first career interception in the Superdome,” he said.

“I think any time I get a chance to go home and play in front of people who have really watched me grow up since I was a little kid, a knucklehead in some senses, it’s always refreshing for me,” he said.

In the years he cannot play there, Mathieu said he’s thankful for the team is represented well by a classy organization with players that locals can be proud of—if he can’t be one of them.

“To play against guys who are representing my community well—Drew Brees and Michael Thomas—guys that I know when I’m not in New Orleans, these guys are the leaders,” said Mathieu. “They give the young kids who look up to me hope, so I always enjoy competing against those guys.”

Mathieu starred locally at St. Augustine in high school before heading over the Baton Rouge to play for the LSU Tigers. It’s the same high school that produced running back Leonard Fournette and Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner.

For the Chiefs, the late-season showcase against the Saints could give fans a preview of a Super Bowl matchup just several weeks later. The Saints are the team with the greatest odds to win the NFC and the Chiefs boast the same in the AFC. They’re also the defending champs.

Mathieu had 75 tackles, 12 passes deflected, 4 interceptions and 2 sacks in 2019 for the Chiefs, his first year with the team.