Super Bowl 2021: Tyrann Mathieu gets flagged badgering the wrong guy — Tom Brady

Tyrann Mathieu and Tom Brady exchanged words several times in the first half on Sunday, but the jawing seemed to fire up Brady and the Buccaneers more than it did Kansas City.

Brady was the MVP of Super Bowl LV after leading Tampa Bay to a 31-9 win.

"I never really saw that side of Tom Brady, to be honest," Mathieu said. "But whatever. No comment. It’s over with. I’m done with it."

It was strange that these two got so heated when they did nothing but praise each other during the lead-up to the big game.

Brady said he loves the way Mathieu plays and added that he always has to be aware of him. Mathieu said he’s always been a fan of Brady’s, calling him the greatest quarterback of all time and "someone that I idolize in a sense."

It started in the second quarter after Mathieu picked off Brady when the Super Bowl was still a game. The pick was negated by a penalty. That was a popular theme as Kansas City committed eight penalties for 95 yards in the first half.

The two started jawing during that series. Just before the half ended, things got heated again after Brady threw a touchdown pass to Antonio Brown that made it 21-6. On the previous play, Mathieu was called for pass interference on Mike Evans.

After the touchdown, Brady and Mathieu got into it. Mathieu was pointing his finger near Brady’s face and Brady started going back at him. Mathieu was hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty.

"It’s football," Mathieu said. "Guys are going to go back and forth."