Former Pro Bowl linebacker Keith Mitchell has died at the age of 51. Texas A&M confirmed Mitchell’s death to KBTX in College Station, Texas, on Thursday.
His cause of death has not yet been reported. In a statement to KBTX, Mitchell’s family said the death was “sudden and unexpected.”
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Mitchell played at A&M from 1993-96, part of the Aggies’ famed “Wrecking Crew” defense.
In 1995, he earned second-team All-Southwest Conference honors for a team that went 7-0 in the league and finished 10-2 overall. The following season, Mitchell was named first-team All-American after registering 14.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He finished his career in College Station with 34 sacks.
In 2015, Mitchell was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame.
Mitchell signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He played five seasons with the Saints and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2000 with 86 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries and an interception.
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His best season with New Orleans was in 1999, when he compiled 115 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.
In seven NFL seasons, Keith Mitchell recorded 19.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss. (Photo by Joseph Patronite/Getty Images)
(Joseph Patronite via Getty Images)
Mitchell also played one season each for the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars during his NFL career. He finished his seven NFL seasons with 416 tackles, 19.5 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, 10 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions in 94 regular season games (70 starts).
“On behalf of our entire family, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming love, prayers and support that have surrounded Keith during this incredibly difficult time,” said the statement from the Mitchell family.
“Keith dedicated his life to inspiring others through his professional NFL career, international speaking engagements, his book, and his unwavering commitment to mindfulness, meditation, and yoga,” the statement added. “To witness that same love and generosity being poured back into him has been a tremendous source of comfort and strength for our family.”
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