Loyalty. Tyrann Mathieu made a statement regarding his loyalty to the New Orleans Saints on Friday during an interview with Kay Adams.
Tyrann Mathieu's plans
Mathieu does not want to play for another team after the Saints. As a Louisiana kid through and through, he feels like this is the spot for him. He wants to retire as a Saint.
“I wouldn’t want to play for any other team…The opportunity to be able to win for my home town..I mean, I think that kinda trumps me going anywhere else.. I’d rather do it for my people, down here.” -- Mathieu
The star safety was also asked about his potential outlook for the hall of fame. He is hopeful, but confident, in his resumé to get in. He's one of the top safeties in this generation of the NFL.
Mathieu's comments regarding his with the Saints mimic those made by another star in New Orleans earlier this year, too.
Alvin Kamara
During the summer, star running back Alvin Kamara made it clear that he wanted to retire as a Saint. He did not want to play for another team.
The Saints clearly agreed with his sentiment during the season when they agreed to a two-year extension with the RB, amid potential trade rumors that were never accurate or on the table.
The new deal did not confirm a retirement once it's complete, but it was another step in that direction to make sure he did not put on another uniform.
The deal replaces the final year of his five-year, $75 million contract where Kamara was due a base salary of $22.4 million and was a potential cut candidate due to his high salary and the Saints' salary cap situation. Garofolo clarified this point, as the final year of his contract was "never meant to be paid," which is something that isn't a big deal to Kamara, because he's not just in it for the money. -- Tyler Forness
Kamara doubled down on his disinterest in leaving New Orleans in a press conference after the announcement of the extension.
"It wouldn't even look right... It would be like Venom - if I put on another uniform, like it'd be like my real self trying to rip away from the other uniform... I'm here, man. I love this city." -- Alvin Kamara
Clearly, both Kamara and Mathieu want to finish their careers in black and gold. Their loyalty is something you don't see too often in pro sports nowadays.
