VIDEO: Tyrann Mathieu Admits He Almost Retired Due to Injuries Early in His Career

Imagine an NFL without Tyrann Mathieu. It's very hard to do so, especially with his current Kansas City Chiefs squad in the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years, but it was almost a very unfortunate reality. According to Mathieu himself, he nearly quit football early on in his career due to injuries he was continually sustaining.

At media availability prior to the Super Bowl, Mathieu told the media about how all the injuries he battled in his first couple years in the NFL almost discouraged him from continuing football. After getting drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2013, Mathieu ended his 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 seasons early with injuries, including two torn ACLs, a torn left LCL, and a thumb and shoulder injury.

Mathieu said that he had a conversation with Tyvon Branch, a veteran on the Cardinals, in his last season with the team, which inspired him to continue playing. After getting released by the Cardinals following the 2017 season, Mathieu was picked up by the Houston Texans for 2018. He played well, and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason, returning to All-Pro status and making his first Super Bowl appearance.

The Honey Badger is a fan-favorite in Kansas City and it's hard to imagine they'd be as dominant a team without him on it. Glad Tyvon Branch steered him in the right direction.