Keith Mitchell, a former linebacker known for his time with the Texas A&M Aggies and the New Orleans Saints, has died. He was 51 years old. The university and his family confirmed the death to KBTX-TV in Bryan on Thursday. No specific cause of death was provided, but his family described the passing as sudden and unexpected.
Mitchell grew up in Garland, which is located approximately 13 miles northeast of Dallas. He attended Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland before playing college football at Texas A&M. During his senior season in College Station, he recorded 14.5 sacks. Over four seasons from 1993 to 1996, he accumulated 34 sacks, ranking fourth in program history at that time.
Despite earning a College Football News All-America selection in 1996, Mitchell was not chosen in the 1997 NFL draft. He subsequently signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints. He spent five years with the team, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2000. Mitchell also played single seasons for the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars before retiring.
His professional career statistics included 94 games played, 416 tackles, and 19.5 sacks. Further details regarding his post-football life or the specific circumstances of his death were not provided by the source.
