Report: Ex-LSU star Mathieu pushed clubs

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NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Former Louisiana State University football All-American Tyrann Mathieu's father says Sports Illustrated has been harassing his family.

The magazine reported this week that Mathieu, who has indicated a desire to return to LSU, may be ineligible to return to the LSU Tigers because his image was used for promotional material for clubs in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, The Times-Picayune of New Orleans reported Wednesday.

Mathieu and his adoptive parents, Tyrone and Sheila, refused to be interviewed by the magazine. Tyrone Mathieu said its reporters were persistent.

"They called from blocked numbers repeatedly, asking me why I was dodging them," Tyrone Mathieu told WVUE-TV. "They came to my home and that of my elderly mother on multiple occasions."

Tyrann Mathieu was declared ineligible for 2012 in August after failing several drug tests. He has been in a drug rehab program in Houston where he is being guided by John Lucas, a former NBA star, and has resumed taking classes.

The cornerback was an All-American in the 2011 season. He will soon be eligible for the NFL draft if he does not return to the Tigers for another season.