Former LSU Great Tyrann Mathieu to be Featured Speaker at 2026 Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner

SHREVEPORT, La. (April 27, 2026) – The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl routinely features some of collegiate sports’ greatest players and coaches to help kick off the college football season at the annual Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner, and 2026’s version of the event will welcome former LSU great and Super Bowl champion, Tyrann Mathieu, as the featured speaker on Monday, August 17.

“I’m honored to be a part of the 2026 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner,” said Mathieu. “Louisiana has always meant everything to me, so any chance to come back, connect with fans, and celebrate the game that gave me so much is special. I’m looking forward to a great night in Shreveport.”

The 2026 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner featuring Tyrann Mathieu is set for Monday, August 17 at the Shreveport Convention Center. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for a cocktail hour, and dinner buffets will be available starting at 6:15 p.m. The program will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude with a Q&A session.

Individual tickets to the event are on sale for $75 apiece, and a table of eight is $600. Fans can purchase tickets at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/product/kickoff-dinner or by calling the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at 318.221.0712 or toll-free at 888.414.BOWL.

“Like many football fans across our state, I have great respect for what Tyrann Mathieu has meant to Louisiana and to the game of football. His career reflects results, toughness, and leadership at the highest level, and his story continues to resonate well beyond the field,” said Keith Burton, 2026 Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman. “We are proud to welcome him to Shreveport-Bossier for the 2026 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner and look forward to an evening that will be meaningful for our community and especially for the next generation of student-athletes.”

Mathieu rose to prominence as a member of the LSU Tigers in 2010 and 2011, as he was college football’s premier game-changer, causing turnovers on defense and scoring electric touchdowns on special teams. He enhanced his game-breaking reputation in the National Football League (NFL) during his 12-year career, being named First-Team All-Pro three times and Second-Team All-Pro once. He was also a key member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV-winning defense.

A New Orleans native, Mathieu made a name for himself as a ball-hawking cornerback and elite track talent during his high school days at St. Augustine High School. In his true freshman season in Baton Rouge in 2010, he played all 13 games for the Tigers, including one start. He finished the season with 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions. He finished his impressive freshman campaign with a dominant effort against Texas A&M in the 2011 Cotton Bowl Classic. He tallied seven tackles, one tackle for loss (TFL), two forced fumbles (FF), one fumble recovery (FR), one interception, one sack and one pass breakup on his way to being named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game.

As a sophomore in 2011, he wore the sacred No. 7 for the Tigers and was one of college football’s truly elite players. He totaled 77 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five FF, four FR (including two returned for touchdowns) and two interceptions. He also had two punt return touchdowns. Mathieu’s gaudy numbers earned him a trip to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist, and he was also named the Chuck Bednarik Award-winner, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a Consensus All-American.

Mathieu was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft with the 69th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals. Playing slot cornerback and free safety, he had an immediate impact for the Cardinals – finishing his maiden campaign with 68 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, two interceptions, one sack and one FF in 13 games after a torn ACL and LCL in early December cut his season short. He was named a member of the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In his third season in the NFL, Mathieu had his finest season as a member of the Cardinals. He finished the season with 89 combined tackles, 17 pass deflections, five interceptions, one sack, one FF and one touchdown in 14 games. He was named to his first of three career Pro Bowls and was named as a first-team All-Pro safety by the Associated Press.

The most notable stretch of Mathieu’s professional career came from 2019 to 2021 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. His first season in Kansas City earned him the second first-team All-Pro nod of his career. Mathieu finished the season with 75 combined tackles, four interceptions, 12 passes defended and two sacks. He was one of the leaders of the Chiefs’ defense and earned his first and only Super Bowl ring of his career when Kansas City defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20, in Super Bowl LIV.

Mathieu was ranked as the 39th-best player in the NFL by his peers in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020. He earned his second and third Pro Bowl berths in 2020 and 2021, and he also earned his third and final first-team All-Pro honor in 2021.

In the final stanza of his NFL career, Mathieu returned home when he signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in 2022. He started all 51 games between 2022-2024 for his hometown team – collecting 228 combined tackles, 10 interceptions, three FF and two FR. Mathieu retired on July 22, 2025 after 12 seasons in the NFL.

Along with the honors and awards, Mathieu earned for individual performances and seasons throughout his storied career, he has also been honored for his longevity and career performance. Mathieu was named a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, and in 2025, he was named a Second-Team AP All-Time All-American for his legendary college career at LSU.

In addition to the on-field awards and honors, he has also received recognition for his commitment off the field. Mathieu has been a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee for two different franchises, the Chiefs and Saints.

Mathieu joins the prestigious list names who have spoken at the event over the first 15 years of the event, which includes Terry Bradshaw, Bobby Bowden, Lou Holtz, Jason Witten, Emmitt Smith, Archie Manning, Herschel Walker, Steve Spurrier, Drew Brees, Devin White, Marcus Spears, Kim Mulkey, Paul Skenes, Holly Rowe and Mack Brown. 

If you are interested in sponsoring the 2026 Kickoff Dinner, contact Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Director of Partnership Development Matt Shanklin at [email protected] or call the bowl office at (318) 221-0712.

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.gov to explore why Louisiana businesses are positioned to win. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, with the 50th anniversary set for 2026. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is a prominent presence in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at 

@IndyBowl.