Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Keith Mitchell has died, according to a report by KBTX-TV in Bryan, Texas. He was 51.
Mitchell arrived in New Orleans in 1997 as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M and carved out a real role for himself, becoming both a starter and a reliable force on special teams.
His biggest year came in 2000, when he helped power a Saints team that won the NFC West Division title and picked up the first playoff victory in franchise history. In New Orleans’ 31-28 win over the St. Louis Rams in the NFC Wild Card playoffs, Mitchell posted three tackles and sacked Rams quarterback Kurt Warner.
Over five seasons with the Saints from 1997 to 2001, Mitchell finished with 272 solo tackles, along with 20 tackles for loss. His 2000 season also featured two huge defensive scores: a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 21-10 win against the Arizona Cardinals and a 90-yard fumble return for a touchdown in a 20-10 win against the Carolina Panthers.
Mitchell is one of just eight linebackers in Saints franchise history to make the Pro Bowl. He later wrapped up his NFL career with one-year stints in Houston and Jacksonville, playing for the Texans and Jaguars.
Before the NFL, Mitchell was part of Texas A&M’s famed “Wrecking Crew” defense from 1993-96. He earned All-Southwest Conference honors in 1995, then was named an All-Big 12 selection and a College Football News All-America selection in 1996.
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