The Honey Badger Don't Care

The concept of leadership is incredibly complex and multi-faceted. You are one, or you aren’t. You lead by example. You have the belief and trust of your followers. Leadership is practiced through attitude and actions, not by words.

Tyrann Mathieu, affectionately known as the “Honey Badger”, is one such incredible and inexplicably frustrating leader. Fluctuating between sheer brilliance on the football field and utter confusion and disregard for life off, Tyrann has now almost sealed his disappointing story in his recent drug arrest yesterday with three current/former football-playing Tigers: Jordann Jefferson, Karnell Hatcher and Derrick Bryant.

(Side note… Can someone please tell me why Jordan Jefferson cannot just ride off into the sunset already? He’s done enough damage to the LSU Football program.)

Tyrann possessed the intangibles not able to be taught. He had the magic that little boys playing pee-wee football dream of on the field. The ability to change the entire landscape of a game. The spark of adrenaline with a punt return or inflicted turnover. The rush of emotion when a team is struggling to find a purpose. The jump-start of an offense into overdrive. Heisman Trophy finalist. Play-maker. Magic.

I hope the story of the “Honey Badger” has a few more chapters. It seems like a travesty for this story to end so soon. In the end, it’s just a game and it’s time for Tyrann to focus on the bigger picture of real life. We see the qualities and purposeful mission of leadership in the man on the field...now its time for him to be that same leading man off that field. I wish upon him guidance, wisdom, maturity and luck on his journey.