Chiefs Safety Tyrann Mathieu Hungry to Make Plays at Pro Bowl

LAS VEGAS, NV – The NFL Pro Bowl has been notorious for its lax defensive play, especially in recent years. Bans against blitzing, limited contact and defenses required to run a 4-3 formation seem to limit the fun for defensive players.

Just don’t tell that to Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu, who was voted AFC team captain at this year’s Pro Bowl.

“It’s fun to be here with some of the best players in the league,” the nine-year NFL veteran Mathieu said in an interview with Patch.com before taking the field for practice at Las Vegas Ballpark on Thursday morning. “That’s what it’s all about to have some fun out there and just enjoy it.”

Mathieu expressed both excitement and optimism playing for AFC Coach Mike Vrabel ahead of Sunday’s Pro Bowl Game. Vrabel, a former linebacker, who is now head coach of the Tennessee Titans, has established a reputation as being a player-friendly coach.

“(Coach) Vrabel is one of the guys who will let you go out there and do your thing,” Mathieu suggested. “I’m going to be in his ear all day to put me in at slot (corner) and hopefully make some plays out there.”

The three-time NFL Pro Bowler has some high expectations for the game on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

“If I can win MVP that would be really cool,” he said with a big smile on his face. “It would also be great to catch an interception or score a touchdown.”

Known for his tenacious play on defense, earning him the nickname “The Honey Badger” that dates back to his days playing for LSU, Mathieu has a knack for making game-changing plays. This year he tallied three interceptions, three fumbles recovered and a touchdown.

But it is his versatility that strikes fear into offensives. On one play the 5’9, 190-pound defensive back could be positioned as strong safety then the next play a linebacker or a slot cornerback.

That unpredictability keeps offenses stifled and was a driving force to the Chiefs success on defense, especially in the second half of the season where they limited teams to 16.1 points per game after a surprisingly slow 3-4 record to start the year.

Despite the Chiefs disappointing loss last week against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship, Mathieu conceded that there were some positive takeaways from this season.

“I’ve kind of got used to going to the Super Bowl the last couple of years, but obviously you can’t win them all,” he said. “Overall though, I still think it was a pretty good year for us. There was a lot that we accomplished this year especially considering the way we started the season.”

But the attention this week is on the Pro Bowl, where he is joined by his fiancé and two children as well as some childhood friends.

If he happens to win MVP this Sunday, Mathieu said he would donate that money earned at this year’s Pro Bowl to the Tyrann Mathieu Foundation, which helps impact the lives of financially disadvantaged children and youth in Kansas City and his hometown of New Orleans through encouragement, opportunities, and resources to achieve their dreams.

Earlier this season, Mathieu was named the Chiefs nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which is considered the league's most prestigious honor and recognizes NFL players who have exhibited excellence on the field, and whose passion to impact lives extends beyond the game. Last month, Mathieu received the most fan votes in the Nationwide Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge, earning his charity a $25,000 donation.

“It’s been a dream of mine for so many years to give back and to have a true impact,” Mathieu said in a statement via Nationwide. “For my efforts to be recognized by others, it means I’m doing something right and that means everything to me.”

The Charity Challenge, determined by fan voting, is a precursor to the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which is awarded during the NFL Honors ceremony. This year’s show is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. ET.

This offseason, Mathieu is set to become an unrestricted free agent, but hopes he will return to the Chiefs where he has had three of his best years as a professional.