Mathieu hoping for fresh start in bid to move on from his troubled past.
Tyrann Mathieu has told the media at the NFL Combine that he is keen to forget his troubled past and concentrate on a bright future.
After being a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011, Mathieu was kicked out of LSU last year after multiple failed drug tests, but said at the NFL Combine on Sunday that he is keen to move on.
“I hold myself accountable for everything I’ve done. This past year has been tough, but at the end of the day I want them to know I’m a football player,” he told the media as reported by NFL.com.
Mathieu is hoping to repair the damage done to his reputation following his history with drugs, but admits that getting arrested in October last year for possession of marijuana was the lowest point of his career so far.
However, Mathieu sought help after that incident and went to rehabilitation as well as continuing with his counselling. He also revealed he hasn’t used illegal drugs since October 26.
“I thought my bottom was when I got kicked out of school. I think when I got arrested in October, that was a different bottom. So, I decided to go to rehab. But this time, rehab was for Tyrann. I actually wanted to get my problem corrected,” he added in his media session.
Few doubt his ability on the field, although it may have somewhat been effected by his recent absence. The main issue for Mathieu will be getting teams to trust him and to convince them that his problems are behind him for good.
During informal meetings on Sunday, Mathieu said that most of the talk revolved around football and that few asked him about his off-field problems. He will be hoping that continues as he looks to impress ahead of the draft in April.
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