Cardinals' Mathieu donates $1M to alma mater

All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu visited his alma mater Saturday and brought a large gift with him.

The Arizona Cardinals star made a $1-million donation to LSU, the university where he spent just two seasons, but where he earned the "Honey Badger" moniker for his blond locks and game-changing style.

"I've got great respect for LSU, the way they embraced me, the way they let me become a superstar and a household name," Mathieu said in a piece written by Darren Urban of the Cardinals' team website. "All the things they did for me to try and help me off the football field, just wanted to reach back out to them."

Mathieu attended the game with Cardinals teammate Patrick Peterson, a fellow LSU alumnus. Peterson donated $1 million to the school last year, prompting Mathieu's vow to do the same.

Mathieu signed a five-year, $62.5-million deal with the Cardinals in the offseason, allowing the Pro Bowler to make such a donation. The money will go toward improving the school's football center and the establishment of a scholarship.

"I think that's what life is about, giving back, helping other people," Mathieu said. "Anything they need. It's a blessing to be in this position."

Mathieu was famously kicked off LSU's football team for multiple marijuana-related incidents, but held no ill will toward the program.

"I don't have a grudge with them or anything like that," he said. "If anything, I'm the one they should be mad at, because of what I did and how I disrespected my responsibility and platform. There have been some mixed emotions, but it was always in my heart to do this."