Kevin Mitchell (linebacker)

Kevin Mitchell
No. 55, 50
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born:(1971-02-01)February 1, 1971
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:April 30, 2007(2007-04-30) (aged 36)
Ashburn, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:258 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school:Harrisburg (PA)
College:Syracuse
NFL draft:1994 / round: 2 / pick: 53
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:247
Interceptions:2
Sacks:6.5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Kevin Danyelle Mitchell (January 1, 1971 – April 30, 2007) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He played for the San Francisco 49ers, the New Orleans Saints, and the Washington Redskins.

College career

Mitchell played college football at Syracuse University as a defensive tackle. He was the Defensive MVP of the 1993 Fiesta Bowl upset of Colorado where Mitchell had eight tackles, including six behind the line of scrimmage.

Professional career

Mitchell was drafted in the 1994 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round.[1] He won Super Bowl XXIX in his rookie season with the 49ers. He played three more seasons with the 49ers. He signed with the New Orleans Saints after the 1997 NFL season. He played with the Saints for two seasons. Mitchell joined the Washington Redskins after the 1999 NFL season and played for them until after the 2003 NFL season.

Mitchell's best season came in 2001 NFL season when he recorded 81 tackles (68 solo), 2 sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games.

In his career, he recorded 300 tackles (243 solo), 6.5 sacks, two interceptions for seven yards, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and six pass deflections in 144 regular season games.

NFL statistics

Year Team Game Combined Tackles Tackles Assisted Tackles Sacks Forced Fumbles Fumble Recoveries Fumble Return Yards Interceptions Interception Return Yards Yards per Interception Return Longest Interception Return Interceptions Returned for Touchdown Passes Defended
1994 SF 16 7 6 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1995 SF 15 7 4 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
1996 SF 12 16 15 1 1.0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
1997 SF 16 9 4 5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1998 NO 8 45 23 22 2.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
1999 NO 16 15 14 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2000 WSH 16 5 4 1 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
2001 WSH 13 81 68 13 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2002 WSH 16 35 26 9 0.0 0 0 0 1 7 7 7 0 1
2003 WSH 16 7 6 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 144 227 170 57 6.5 4 1 0 2 7 4 7 0 6

[2]

Death

On April 30, 2007, Mitchell was found dead in his sleep in Ashburn, Virginia. According to a preliminary autopsy, he died of a massive heart attack.[3]

Friends and family close to Kevin Mitchell said the cause of death was related to sleep apnea.

References

  1. ^ "1994 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  2. ^ "Kevin Mitchell Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  3. ^ "Autopsy shows Mitchell died of heart attack". NFL.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2007.