New Orleans safety Tyrann Mathieu, a three-time All-Pro who was known as the “Honey Badger” for the relentless play in college that made him a Heisman Trophy finalist, said on the day the Saints opened training camp Tuesday that he is retiring from the NFL after 12 seasons.

New Orleans Saints defensive back Tyrann Mathieu announced Tuesday that he is retiring from the NFL after 12 seasons and three first-team All-Pro selections. The 33-year-old Mathieu, a product of LSU, spent the last three seasons with the Saints and started in all 51 regular season games.

Throughout his college and professional career, Tyrann Mathieu has been one of the best safeties in the game. For the Saints, this will be a massive loss to a part of the defense that the team probably felt confident about.