TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu spent part of Tuesday morning publically mourning and celebrating the life of his grandmother, who passed away earlier this week.
Marie Spellman Mathieu was 75.
Mathieu told ESPN last week that "in essence she is my mother." Marie raised Tyrann until he was 5 years old, when he was adopted by his parents, Tyrone and Sheila. But Marie was an influential and large part of Tyrann's life until the day she died.
"It kind of puts life back into perspective, that family is everything and we're not going to be here forever," Mathieu said. "We really have to live up to our potential, and I felt like my grandmother did that."
I'll share a few of my greatest granny Stories throughout today...Not because you care, but because I NEED you to know who she was
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 22, 2016
I ran away often as a kid and not knowing who to run to I always found myself knocking on my granny door & she always opened it..
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 22, 2016
I saved all your voicemails granny... Telling me I'm the shit & that you never want me to give up. One time she said she love me for 5 mins
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 22, 2016
That #32 I wear is for her... 2930 orleans ave. 5 th ward New Orleans
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 22, 2016
3+2=5
She always told me to LOVE my adopted parents. She never threw shade like others in my family, she was happy that I had a better life
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 22, 2016
I got kicked out school & arrested, granny was smiling, I'm like wtf, she said boy "you taking your blessing for granted" she left it there
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 22, 2016