Tyrann Mathieu headlines Independence Bowl kickoff dinner

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl held its annual kickoff dinner, with LSU legend Tyrann Mathieu serving as the featured guest speaker.

The event, originally scheduled for August, was postponed after Mathieu became ill.

This year's dinner comes as the Independence Bowl celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of college football in Shreveport.

Mathieu, known during his LSU career as the "Honey Badger," spoke to attendees about his football career, but said one of the things he is most proud of happened away from the field.

"Over the course of my career, one of the things I was most proud to be involved in was this program we had with some kids in Louisiana, specifically the Baton Rouge area," Mathieu said.

More from this section

Tyrann Mathieu headlines Independence Bowl kickoff dinner

Many of the children he worked with had been in and out of foster homes, Mathieu said. He recalled spending time with them twice a week and getting to know them.

"And for me, man, to be able to share my time with them and learn them, right? Because I didn't necessarily see 'bad' kids. I just saw kids that just needed help. They needed assistance," Mathieu said.

Mathieu played at LSU from 2010-11 and became one of the most recognizable defensive players in college football. He went on to play in the NFL, where he earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and won Super Bowl LIV with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 50th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22, in Shreveport.

The milestone season gives the bowl an opportunity to celebrate its history while looking ahead to another year of college football in Northwest Louisiana.