Arizona Cardinals’ Tyrann Mathieu NFC November Defensive Player

Arizona Cardinals FS becomes only the second player in Cardinals history to win the award.

Showing the brilliance of Steve Keim and the ability to take a chance on a player one of their defensive captains vouched personally for, the Arizona Cardinals Tyrann Mathieu earned November Defensive Player of the Month honors after logging 27 tackles and two picks in four games.

The former third round pick was a troubled player at LSU, being suspending his final season before the NFL Draft because of drug issues and failed drug tests. After seeing the error of his ways, and seeking help, especially from former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson, the Arizona Cardinals chose Mathieu in the third round.

On track to a rookie of the year season, Mathieu’s campaign was slowed by a terrible knee injury that lingered throughout last season as well, diminishing his performance. But in the 2015 campaign, he’s been lights out. The Honey Badger has four interceptions this season, seven for his career to go along with two sacks.

Everyone likes a feel good story and this is no different, young player faced with adversity is given a chance by an organization and doesn’t squander it. In a league that’s easy to focus on the negative players and the things that they’ve done, you lose focus on the remarkable stories of those who are trying to better who they are for their family and for their future.

Mathieu is only the second player in Cardinals history to win the award, the other being Kwamie Lassiter in 2001.

Here’s a look at what the Badger brings to the table

Congrats Tyrann, really, we all love watching you play.