Tag: LSU in the NFL

The Honey Badger brings home another award

Another award for former LSU Tigers defensive back Tyrann Mathieu.

Former LSU Tiger, Tyrann Mathieu, earned his second career Derrick Thomas MVP award for his performance in the 2021 NFL season and postseason.

The Derrick Thomas Award is named after the former Chiefs linebacker and NFL Hall of Famer that played 169 games in Kansas City. He recorded 642 tackles, 126.5 sacks, 41 forced fumbles, and an interception during his 11-year career.

This was the second time Mathieu won the prestigious award that is voted on by Kansas City players and coaches. He last won the award in 2019. This year, Mathieu finished the season with 82 combined tackles, three interceptions, and a sack. The Chiefs were defeated by Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.

“Chiefs Kingdom, Tyrann Mathieu here,” Mathieu began. “It is, once again, such an honor to accept the Derrick Thomas team MVP award. You know, credit goes out to my coaches and my teammates for believing in me, for helping support me. It’s such an honor to represent Chiefs Kingdom. So, go Chiefs.” – chiefswire

Mathieu played for LSU in 2010 and 2011 totaling 133 combined tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, four interceptions, eight fumble recoveries, and 11 forced fumbles. The Tigers were 24-3 during those two years and appeared in the National Championship game against Alabama on January 9th, 2012.

Former Tigers that won a National Championship and a Super Bowl

This is an exclusive list.

During the illustrious history of LSU football, 48 former Tigers players have had the opportunity to win a Super Bowl ring. With the Rams’ victory in Super Bowl LVI, two more players joined that list in Odell Beckham Jr. and Andrew Whitworth.

But Whitworth, who may have played his final game on Sunday, joins an even more exclusive list. He’s one of just 16 players in the entire history of the LSU program to win both a national title and a Super Bowl.

We break down each of the 16 former LSU Tigers to have won both a national championship and a Super Bowl, as we look back on their collegiate careers.

Andrew Whitworth, Odell Beckham Jr. finally get their rings

The pair of former Tigers on the Rams roster got the storybook ending they had hoped for.

It was a whirlwind of a week for former LSU Tigers offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth. He was named Walter Payton Man of the Year for his efforts on and off the field. At the NFL Honors program, he gave an amazing speech and shared a touching story for how it all came together.

Finally, after all of those NFL training camps and grueling offseasons, Whitworth can add another championship ring to his collection. This marked his 16th season in the NFL. Whitworth won a national championship at LSU under head coach Nick Saban in 2003. It was the first for the Tigers since 1958.

After helping bring LSU its first title in 45 years, Whitworth brought the Los Angeles Rams their first tile since 1999. For the 40-year-old, there might not be a better time to ride out. He played the game at a high level and now has that elusive championship in his career. It was almost fitting it came against the very team that drafted him in 2006.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was emotional following the win. He had to sit on the sidelines and watch his teammates put together a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. His day ended abruptly when he injured his left knee during the first half.

It was the first time Beckham experienced the postseason since the 2016 season with the New York Giants. That year the Giants were bounced in the wild-card round by the Green Bay Packers, 38-13. When the Cleveland Browns made the playoffs in 2020 he had to watch due to injury.

This year he finally got past that first round and went all the way to the Super Bowl. He caught the first touchdown of the game and it looked as if it was OBJ’s night until he was injured. Fortunately for Beckham, his teammates came through and he can finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

WATCH: Odell Beckham Jr strikes first with a touchdown grab

Somebody give Odell senior a raise for getting junior out of Cleveland.

Well, that escalated quickly.

We have our first score of the Super Bowl and it belongs to former LSU Tigers wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

After punting the ball away on the very first possession of the game, the Los Angeles Rams took over on downs for their second shot at opening the game with a score. The team went six plays covering 50 yards for the first score. Facing third and three from the 17-yard line, Matthew Stafford found OBJ coming out of the slot for the opening score.

Thus far, Beckham has just the one reception but it couldn’t have been any bigger. The Rams take the early 7-0 with 6:26 to go in the first quarter of the Super Bowl.

Can he make two touchdowns?

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LOOK: Joe Burrow arrives as only he knows how, in style

Joe. Freaking. Burrow. He showed up to the Super Bowl in style.

It is a massive opportunity for the former Heisman Trophy quarterback Joe Burrow. He looks to make history in a multitude of ways as the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.

Provided that the Bengals win, Burrow will be the first quarterback in history to win the Heisman Trophy, national championship, and a Super Bowl. Not to mention it would all happen since 2019. The legend of Joe Burrow continues to grow.

Burrow recently arrived at SoFi Stadium to get ready for the game and he showed up in style for this game.

The man loves to show up in style. The suit choice should come as no surprise to anyone. He does love a good wardrobe as he stated during the media sessions this week.

“I don’t know if I would wanna live here [in Los Angeles]”, Burrow said. “I like seasons, having a different wardrobe.”

Burrow looks to bring the very first Super Bowl trophy to his home state as he continues the improbable run in 2021. How can you ever bet against Joe Burrow?

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PatrickConnCFB

Joe Burrow wins Comeback Player of the Year

Former LSU quarterback takes home the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow wins the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Burrow beat out Dak Prescott to win the honor.

Burrow came back this season after tearing both his MCL and ACL in his left knee. The quarterback threw for 4,611 passing yards and 35 touchdown passes while leading the NFL in completion percentage with 70.4%. Burrow helped lead the Bengals to the AFC North division title.

In a Week 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Burrow broke Boomer Esiason’s 33-year old franchise single-game passing record by passing for 525 yards. Burrow is quickly becoming the best quarterback in Bengals history.

Overcoming a bad offensive line, Burrow has led the Bengals to the Super Bowl. Cincinnati has not been to the Super Bowl since the 1988 season. Burrow has completed 68.8% of his passes in the playoffs and passed for 842 yards. He also threw four touchdown passes and two interceptions.

Burrow is looking to become the first quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, national championship, and a Super Bowl. If the Bengals win the Super Bowl, Burrow will have to play a huge role. The former No.1 overall pick will lean on Ja’Marr Chase to help him take down the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

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Joe Burrow offers some valuable insight for young players

Joe Burrow providing plenty of great answers on SBOpeningNight

Joe Burrow. Joe Cool. Joe Brrr. Call him whatever you like, he’s an incredible quarterback.

Joe Burrow played two years down on the Bayou and finished with 8,565 yards, 76 TDs, and 11 Ints. He had a final QB Rating of 173.2. We all remember the 2019 season and how magical it was.

It was the best offense of all time, the best team of all time, and the best quarterback of all time. Burrow became the first Heisman winner at LSU since Billy Cannon in 1959.

That magical season propelled Joe Burrow to being selected as the No. 1 draft pick of the 2020 season by the Cincinnati Bengals. His first season as the signal-caller for the Bengals was cut short after ten games when in week ten against the Washington (Football Team) Commanders. Burrow tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL. As I’m sure many of you are aware, that is one of the most difficult injuries to come back from no matter what sport you are playing. But, you can’t keep a guy like Joe Burrow down for long.

He returned for his Sophomore season in 2021 and he proceeded to throw for 4,611 yards, 34 TDs, and 14 interceptions. That’s just in the regular season. In the 2021 playoffs, Burrow has thrown for 842 yards with four TDs and two interceptions with a completion percentage of 68.8%. This Sunday, Burrow and the Bengals look to win the first super bowl in franchise history against the LA Rams.

As part of Super Bowl Opening Night, the former Heisman Trophy winner had some great insight for young players.

“Don’t have a workout and then go post it on Instagram and then go sit on your butt for four days. Work in silence.”

Burrow answered questions for over 40 minutes and it was certainly worth the time to sit through the whole thing. We hope he inspired the next great quarterback that will come through Baton Rouge.

Super Bowl Joe: Burrow and the Bengals punch their ticket

Joey B makes history again.

It was a wild ride so far in the playoffs. On Sunday it was set up for an epic showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs. The road team was led by former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and he was tasked with battling Patrick Mahomes in Arrowhead.

It was a good day for the former Heisman Trophy winner and CFP national champion as Burrow got the last laugh in overtime. After falling down by 18 points, it was the Bengals who came roaring back in this game.

Burrow finished the AFC title game with 250 yards and two touchdown passes. He was also intercepted once. Just like it was in Week 17 against these same Chiefs, the Bengals allowed just three second-half points to Kansas City as they won in the extra session.

Ja’Marr Chase hauled in his first postseason touchdown in the second half of the game. They converted the two-point conversion to tie the game at 21 overall.

Chase caught six passes for 54 yards and that one touchdown. Tyler Shelvin is the other member of that 2019 team that is heading to the Super Bowl. Burrow becomes the first quarterback drafted No. 1 overall to make it to the biggest game of the year in his first two seasons.

For Darrel Williams, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Tyrann Mathieu their run, unfortunately, comes to an end. The trio has been to the Super Bowl before but it just wasn’t in the cards this year.

Just like Joe Burrow did in year two at LSU, he leads his team to the championship in his second season with the Bengals. They head off to Los Angeles to play for the Lombardi Trophy.

Trio of former LSU Tigers could play final game with current teams this weekend

Three former Tigers could be on the move following this weekend.

The NFL playoffs head into championship weekend with four teams vying for a spot in the Super Bowl. A total of nine former LSU Tigers are among those teams and according to Nate Davis of USA TODAY Sports, three could be playing their final game with their current teams.

In the AFC game featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals, we have standout safety Tyrann Mathieu.

What Davis Says…

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The three-time All-Pro’s arrival in Kansas City coincided with the Chiefs’ rise from contender to juggernaut. And the Honey Badger’s value was never more apparent than in last weekend’s divisional-round matchup with Buffalo, his absence due to a concussion making it easier for Bills QB Josh Allen to shred the K.C. secondary. Mathieu turns 30 in May, and the team has expressed a desire to keep him – but age and money could render him the classic case of an NFL star forced to move on before he’s ready.

Mathieu is in the final year of the three-year deal he signed with the Chiefs. Even if Kansas City decides to move on from their talented swiss army knife on defense, Mathieu should have plenty of suitors in the NFL free agency. I doubt we have seen the last of the “Honey Badger.”

Next, we look at the NFC title game

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Former LSU Tigers still alive in the NFL playoffs

And then there were nine left

The pool of former LSU Tigers in the NFL Playoffs shrank to nine players after the divisional round of games.

With the championship games all set, we will see a quarterback matchup of two of the best young passers in the game. Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs will play in his fourth-straight championship game while a newcomer steps into the ring. Just two seasons removed from his national championship performance, Joe Burrow leads the Bengals into Arrowhead on Sunday.

Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tyler Shelvin were among the former Tigers on Cincinnati’s team as they faced Kristian Fulton and Racey McMath of the Tennessee Titans. Burrow and Chase set up the game-winning field goal in this matchup. They will see a former teammate in Clyde Edwards-Helaire from that championship team in 2019 on the field for the AFC title.

Over in the NFC, Arden Key and the San Francisco 49ers punched their ticket to the title game in a win over the Green Bay Packers. Key was the only former LSU Tiger in that matchup. They will face off with Andrew Whitworth, Odell Beckham Jr, and the Los Angeles Rams next weekend.

The Rams were able to get the better of Leonard Fournette, Devin White, and Kevin Minter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All four games came down to the wire in a drama-filled weekend of NFL playoff action.

These nine Tigers remain:

  • Joe Burrow
  • Ja’Marr Chase
  • Tyler Shelvin
  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire
  • Darrel Williams
  • Tyrann Mathieu
  • Arden Key
  • Andrew Whitworth
  • Odell Beckham Jr

A look back at the weekend’s performances: