Tyrann Mathieu Says He Got Death Threats For Talking About Accused Killer of Will Smith

Likely caused by a tweet he's since deleted.

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Image via Complex Original
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Before Tyrann Mathieu was a Pro Bowl safety, he was a high school football star in New Orleans. And, after the shooting death of Saints defensive end Will Smith this past Saturday night, Mathieu took to his Twitter account to rip Smith's alleged killer, Cardell Hayes, who was, himself, a local football star:

However not long after that (since deleted) tweet things apparently got dicey, as Mathieu claims it resulted in death threats from (hopefully only) a few angry residents who are keeping him from going back to his hometown. Mathieu, who was speaking about returning to The Big Easy to pay his respects to Smith, told the New York Daily News "I don't think I can go back to New Orleans. I don't think that's possible. Why? Because I called a spade a spade."

He elaborated further upon that yesterday on the Rich Eisen Show:

However he also sent out this message which suggests he hasn't entirely given up hope for the city:

As always, be careful what you tweet. Lotta nuts out there.

Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com

[via New York Daily News, @RichEisen]

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