LSU Football Star Tyrann Mathieu Tried Drinking Bleach to Pass Drug Test

The 'Honey Badger' went to extreme lengths to stay eligible during his legendary 2011 season.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:39pm

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Former LSU football star Tyrann Mathieu, known as the 'Honey Badger', revealed that he tried drinking a mixture of bleach and Coca-Cola in a desperate attempt to pass a drug test and stay eligible during his standout 2011 season. Mathieu, who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting that year, later admitted to losing count after failing over 10 drug tests at LSU before the school dismissed him in 2012.

Why it matters

Mathieu's story sheds light on the intense pressure and lengths some college athletes will go to in order to stay on the field and maintain their eligibility, even resorting to dangerous and misguided attempts to cheat drug tests. His case highlights the need for better support systems and resources to help student-athletes struggling with substance abuse issues.

The details

After failing multiple drug tests at LSU, Mathieu turned to the internet for a solution and found misinformation claiming that drinking a mixture of bleach and Coca-Cola could mask the drugs in his system. Mathieu actually tried this dangerous concoction, but it 'backfired' as he ended up throwing it up. Despite his on-field brilliance, Mathieu's off-field issues eventually became too much for LSU to ignore, leading to his dismissal from the team in 2012.

  • Mathieu finished fifth in the 2011 Heisman Trophy voting.
  • LSU dismissed Mathieu from the team in August 2012.

The players

Tyrann Mathieu

A former LSU football star known as the 'Honey Badger', who was a dominant defensive player and return specialist before being dismissed from the team in 2012 due to repeated failed drug tests.

LSU Football

The football program at Louisiana State University, where Mathieu played during his standout 2011 season before being dismissed.

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What they’re saying

“I'm on Google trying to figure out how the f*** I pass this test.”

— Tyrann Mathieu, Former LSU Football Player

“It feel like my whole insides was just like erupting. I end up throwing that s*** up... I thought that was going to save my life. It didn't. It backfired.”

— Tyrann Mathieu, Former LSU Football Player

What’s next

Mathieu's story has sparked renewed discussions about the need for better support and resources for college athletes struggling with substance abuse issues, as well as the potential for reform in NCAA drug testing policies.

The takeaway

Tyrann Mathieu's desperate attempt to cheat a drug test by drinking a dangerous mixture of bleach and Coca-Cola underscores the intense pressure and challenges faced by some college athletes to maintain their eligibility. His case highlights the need for more comprehensive support systems to help student-athletes address substance abuse problems before they spiral out of control.