NEW ORLEANS — It was the final Saturday before the Saints training camp. Instead of getting one final vacation in or locking in completely on the season, Tyrann Mathieu decided to give back with his seventh annual "Heart of a Badger" youth football camp.
For Mathieu, pouring into his community gives him juice entering a new season.
"It's always a good time for me," Mathieu said. "I think anytime I do anything in the community, like I was telling the kids earlier, it's apart of one of my favorite times of the year. Just spending it with them, kinda unwinding and getting ready for a long season."
It's a cool way to spend your weekend, with the kids Mathieu said. The camp was held at Lafitte Greenway Park. 300 local kids spent time with the Honey Badger honing their football skills.
Mathieu said it's humbling and a blessing to try and be a reflection. "Like I told the kids, I was you 15-20 years ago."
It's wasn't only a football camp, but also a going back-to-school event. Mathieu gave away backpacks, had waterslides, a dunking booth, and snoballs, all in an effort to truly show what it means to have the heart of a Badger.
The Saints kick off training camp next week in Irvine, California. Mathieu prepares for his third training camp with the black and gold. The New Orleans native looks to help the hometown team snap a three-year playoff drought this upcoming season.
Mathieu said he likes the approach and mindset the team has had this off-season. He said the team ended the season on a high note even though they didn't make the playoffs.
"You know from Dennis to Mickey, I think their job is to hold us accountable. And you can see that," he said.
He said there's been a difference and everybody's into it.
"Everybody's coming to work, everybody's motivated. You know I think sometimes you could have a good season and then it could kinda fade away, guys start doing their own thing."
Mathieu said a lot of players have come back with the mindset that they have to be better than they were last year.
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