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FORMER NFL linebacker Keith Mitchell has died at the age of 51 with tributes pouring in for the New Orleans Saints legend.
Mitchell was a star linebacker during his college football career at Texas A&M between 1993 and 1996.
He earned All-American honors in the 1996 season and was a core part of the Aggies famed Wrecking Crew defense.
Mitchell racked up 14.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss that year and finished his career at College Station with a total of 34 sacks.
The Aggies star then declared for the NFL Draft in 1997 but went undrafted due to concerns over his size.
That didnt prove a problem for the Saints, however, who snapped him up after the draft.
READ MORE ON THE NFL Mitchell would pay back the Saints faith in abundance as he earned Pro Bowl honors in 2000.
He played five seasons with the Saints and finished with 86 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries and an interception.
His best season in New Orleans actually came in 1999 when he compiled 115 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.
After departing the Saints in 2001, Mitchell spent a season with the Houston Texans in 2002 before leaving for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003.
He suffered a spinal injury during a game in 2003 that not only ended his NFL career but also caused him issues with his mobility.
Mitchell ultimately overcame that ailment as his focus shifted to wellness and yoga after his playing career.
He even wrote a book that was released late last year called The Mindfulness Mastery Playbook, and credited yoga with saving his life.
Tributes have poured in around the NFL world for the former Saints star, whose cause of death has yet to be disclosed.
The Saints posted on X, The New Orleans Saints are saddened to learn of the passing of team legend Keith Mitchell..
The Saints extend their sympathies to the Mitchell family during these challenging times.
Sports page DNP Sports also wrote, I had the pleasure to interview Keith Mitchell on a podcast we did a few years ago.
He was so full of knowledge and love.
Just a really cool ass guy.
Such an interesting conversation.
We lost a really great man.