NEW ORLEANS -- Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement Tuesday on the eve of the team's first training camp practice.
Mathieu's announcement came as a surprise after he attended the team's veteran minicamp. Mathieu, 33, retires after 12 seasons in the NFL and three seasons in New Orleans.
"As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with a gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way," Mathieu wrote on social media Tuesday.
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Mathieu, who earned the nickname "The Honey Badger" while playing at LSU, was known for his ability to force turnovers.