There was no player ever at LSU like Tyrann Mathieu. Like his namesake wild animal, the Honey Badger, he took what he wanted during brief, brilliant career.

New Orleans Saints defensive back Tyrann Mathieu announced Tuesday that he is retiring from the NFL after 12 seasons and three first-team All-Pro selections. The 33-year-old Mathieu, a product of LSU, spent the last three seasons with the Saints and started in all 51 regular season games.

Mathieu’s NFL career came to a surprising end Tuesday afternoon when he announced his retirement on the eve of start of Saints’ training camp. His retirement leaves a hole at the safety position, giant shoes for someone to try to fill. This would have been Mathieu’s fourth season with the Saints and his 13th in the NFL.

Can Julian Blackmon be as good or better than the Honey Badger? As camp opens, we still have plenty questions. … And what about LSU and Tulane?

Tyrann Mathieu, most recently with the New Orleans Saints, retired Tuesday after 12 seasons in the NFL. Mathieu first gained fame not far from where his career ended, starring for the LSU Tigers down in Baton Rouge,

Mathieu announced his retirement from football this week after spending the last three years of his NFL career with his hometown team.