JOURNAL SPORTS
Entering its 50th year, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will kick off the college football season in August with an appearance by one of the century’s most dynamic LSU football stars.
“The Honey Badger,” LSU great and Super Bowl champion Tyrann Mathieu, was announced Monday as the featured speaker for the annual Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner on Monday, August 17.
Mathieu, a New Orleans native who became one of college football’s breakout stars with his dynamic play-making as a defensive back and return specialist for the Tigers, capped his 12-year NFL career playing for his hometown Saints after helping the Kansas City Chiefs win a Super Bowl.
“I’m honored to be a part of the 2026 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner,” said Mathieu. “Louisiana has always meant everything to me, so any chance to come back, connect with fans, and celebrate the game that gave me so much is special. I’m looking forward to a great night in Shreveport.”
Mathieu joins a star-studded roster of sports figures who have spoken at the event over its first 15 years: Terry Bradshaw, Bobby Bowden, Lou Holtz, Jason Witten, Emmitt Smith, Archie Manning, Herschel Walker, Steve Spurrier, Drew Brees, Marcus Spears, Kim Mulkey, Paul Skenes, Holly Rowe and Mack Brown.
“Like many football fans across our state, I have great respect for what Tyrann Mathieu has meant to Louisiana and to the game of football. His career reflects results, toughness, and leadership at the highest level, and his story continues to resonate well beyond the field,” said Keith Burton, 2026 Independence Bowl Foundation chairman. “We are proud to welcome him to Shreveport-Bossier for the 2026 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner and look forward to an evening that will be meaningful for our community and especially for the next generation of student-athletes.”
Mathieu rose to prominence as a member of the LSU Tigers in 2010 and 2011, as he was college football’s premier game-changer, causing turnovers on defense and scoring electric touchdowns on special teams. In his sophomore season of 2011, he was Heisman Trophy finalist, and he was also named the Chuck Bednarik Award winner, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.
Playing for Arizona, Kansas City and New Orleans over a dozen pro seasons, Mathieu won first-team All-Pro honors three times and second-team All-Pro once.
He has also received recognition for his commitment to service off the field. Mathieu has been a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee for two different franchises, the Chiefs and Saints.
As an LSU sophomore in 2011, he wore the prized No. 7 for the Tigers and was one of college football’s truly elite players. He totaled 77 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five forced fumbles four recoveries (including two returned for touchdowns) and two interceptions. He also had two punt return touchdowns.
Mathieu was named a member of the Pro Football Writers Association 2013 All-Rookie Team. In his third season in the NFL, Mathieu had his finest year as a member of the Cardinals with 89 combined tackles, 17 pass deflections, five interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble and one touchdown in 14 games. He was named to his first of three career Pro Bowls and was named as a first-team All-Pro safety by the Associated Press.
The most notable stretch of Mathieu’s professional career came from 2019-21 with the Chiefs. His first season in Kansas City earned him the second first-team All-Pro nod of his career. Mathieu finished the season with 75 combined tackles, four interceptions, 12 passes defended and two sacks. He was one of the leaders of the Chiefs’ defense and earned his Super Bowl when Kansas City defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20, in Super Bowl LIV.
Mathieu was ranked as the 39th-best player in the NFL by his peers in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020. He earned his second and third Pro Bowl berths in 2020 and 2021, and he also earned his third and final first-team All-Pro honor in 2021.
Mathieu returned home when he signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in 2022. He started all 51 games between 2022-2024 for his hometown team – collecting 228 combined tackles and 10 interceptions. Mathieu retired on July 22, 2025 after 12 seasons in the NFL.
He was named a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, and in 2025, he was named a second-team AP All-Time All-American for his legendary college career at LSU.
Individual tickets to the event are on sale for $75, and a table of eight is $600. Fans can purchase tickets at the RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com website or by calling the bowl office at 318.221.0712.