Keith Mitchell, a former New Orleans Saints linebacker and Pro Bowl selection, has died at age 51, according to a report by KBTX-TV in Bryan, Texas.
Mitchell arrived in New Orleans in 1997 as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M and carved out a long run with the Saints, becoming both a starter and a reliable force on special teams. He spent five seasons with the team from 1997 to 2001 and finished with 272 solo tackles, including 20 tackles for loss.
His biggest season came in 2000, when he helped anchor a Saints team that won the NFC West Division title and earned 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 recorded three tackles and sacked Rams quarterback Kurt Warner.
That same 2000 season also produced two of his most memorable plays. He returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in a 21-10 win against the Arizona Cardinals, then brought back a fumble 90 yards for another score in a 20-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Mitchell is one of just eight linebackers in Saints franchise history to make the Pro Bowl. After his time in New Orleans, he finished his NFL career with one-year stints with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Before reaching 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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