Dallas, Texas — Keith Mitchell, a Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Famer and Pro Bowl NFL linebacker, has died at age 51. Texas A&M confirmed the death Thursday, with Mitchell's family telling KBTX in College Station that the passing was sudden and unexpected.
Mitchell lettered four seasons for the Aggies from 1993 through 1996 and was a cornerstone of the famed "Wrecking Crew" defense. He helped Texas A&M capture the 1993 Southwest Conference Championship and was part of the Aggies' unbeaten 10-0-1 squad in 1994. He earned All-Southwest Conference honors in 1995 before collecting All-Big 12 and All-America recognition as a senior.
During his 1996 campaign, Mitchell registered 14.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, earning first-team All-American honors. He finished his collegiate career with 34 sacks, a total that ranks fourth in Texas A&M history. The school inducted him into its athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
Mitchell signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and spent five seasons in Louisiana. His Pro Bowl season came in 2000, when he tallied 86 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, and an interception. He also played for the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
