RIP Kevin Mitchell

Kevin Mitchell, 1971 - 2007

Kevin Mitchell, the former Redskins linebacker who won a Super Bowl with the 49ers in his first pro season, died April 30 of a heart attack in his Ashburn, Virginia home.

Kevin played collegiate football at Syracuse University, winning Defensive MVP honors in Syracuse' upset of the University of Colorado the 1993 Fiesta Bowl. Among future pro football players on that Orangemen team were Marvin Graves (Syracuse' all-time passing leader and the man to wear number five before Donovan McNabb), Marvin Harrison and Qadry Ismail. Kevin was drafted in the second round (53rd overall) by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1994 draft, playing four seasons in San Francisco. After playing two seasons for the New Orleans Saints, Kevin was signed by the Washington Redskins before the 2000 season.

In 2000, Kevin largely played a reserve role behind LaVar Arrington, Shawn Barber and Greg Jones. In 2001, Shawn suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the third game and Kevin was elevated to starter, playing alongside LaVar and rookie standout Antonio Pierce. That season, Kevin had his best pro season with 81 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble 16 games. In 2002 and 2003, Kevin returned to reserve duty and was released in the transition between Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs.

After retiring, Kevin stayed in the Washington, DC area, settling near Redskins Park. Medical examiners determined a contributing factor to his heart attack was sleep apnea, also a contributing factor in the 2004 death of former Eagles and Packers linebacker Reggie White at age 43.

Kevin Mitchell was 36.


Kevin Mitchell Wikipedia page. Washington Post obit, follow up. ESPN obit.



Kevin Mitchell: AP photo from here. Kevin Mitchell and Mark Carrier celebrating Kevin's first career interception on October 15, 2000: Jonathan Newton / Washington Post from here.