AP

Every year, people inexplicably leave dogs and children in alone in cars, exposing them to intense and deadly heat. Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu has done his part to raise awareness to this all-too-common hazard.

In conjunction with PETA, Mathieu sat in a parked car on a hot day to demonstrate the gravity of the hazard.

It’s a great gesture from a guy who is in position to influence many people. If only one person thinks twice about running into the store while a child or a pet is stuck inside a car, the effort will be a huge success.

It’s also another sign that a player the NFL considered writing off after he lost his position on the LSU football team has matured beyond his years, becoming a great citizen who uses his success for the good.