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 long run as both a starter and a special teams force. His best year came in 2000, when he was a key part of a Saints team that won the NFC West Division title and earned the first playoff victory in franchise history.
That postseason breakthrough included Mitchell’s work in the Saints’ 31-28 win over the St. Louis Rams in the NFC Wild Card playoffs, where he recorded three tackles and sacked Rams quarterback Kurt Warner.
Over five seasons with the Saints from 1997 to 2001, Mitchell finished with 272 solo tackles and 20 tackles for loss. His 2000 season also featured two memorable 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 wrapped up his NFL career with one-year stops with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville 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 and was an All-Big 12 selection and College Football News All-America selection in 1996.
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