Pro Football Rumors
Former NFL linebacker Keith Mitchell has passed away, as Texas A&M athletics confirmed on Thursday. Mitchell was 51 years old. His passing was “sudden and unexpected,” according to a statement from his family.
A native of Garland, Texas, Mitchell had a decorated run with the Aggies from 1993-96. As part of their “Wrecking Crew” defense, Mitchell amassed 34 sacks, one ahead of Von Miller for fourth on the school’s all-time list. He notched 14.5 as a senior en route to All-Big 12 honors and an All-America selection. Texas A&M inducted Mitchell into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
Despite his prolific college career, Mitchell went undrafted in 1997. He signed with the Saints and went on to enjoy far more success in the NFL than most UDFAs. Mitchell spent his first five years in New Orleans, where he became a full-time starter in his second season.
A highly durable and productive Saint, Mitchell missed just one of a possible 80 games in their uniform. He earned the lone Pro Bowl nod of his career in 2000 after totaling 86 tackles, personal bests in sacks (6.5), fumble recoveries (four) and defensive touchdowns (two), and an interception. Mitchell finished his 79-game, 61-start tenure in New Orleans with 381 tackles, 20 passes defensed, 18.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and all four of his career interceptions.
“The New Orleans Saints are saddened to learn of the passing of team legend Keith Mitchell,” the organization stated in an X post on Thursday.
Mitchell requested and received his release from the Saints after the 2001 campaign. He had one-year stints with the Texans and Jaguars over the next two seasons, but injuries limited him to just 15 of a possible 32 games. Mitchell wrapped up his seven-year career with 416 tackles, 22 PDs, 19.5 sacks and 10 FFs over 94 games and 70 starts. He released a book, “The Mindfulness Mastery Playbook: 8 Strategies For Winning The Game Of Life,” in September 2025.
