Keith Mitchell, the All-American linebacker and Pro Bowl selection who later became a prominent yogi, has passed away at 51.
Mitchell’s death has been confirmed by the athletic department at his alma mater, Texas A&M. A cause of death has not been revealed.
The Garland, Texas native was a member of the Aggies’ famed ‘wrecking crew’ defense from 1993 through 1996 before embarking on a successful NFL career.
Due to size concerns, the slight Mitchell went undrafted in 1997, but later signed with the New Orleans Saints and quickly became a starter by the end of his rookie season. After getting a Pro Bowl nod in 2000, he would leave for Houston in 2002 and Jacksonville in 2003 before his career was cut short by a spinal contusion surgery.
Mitchell would then turn to yoga, which he credited for saving his post-playing career.
‘Yoga definitely saved my life,’ he told CBS in 2015. ‘Mediation and yoga, it’s really all combined, the whole mindfulness aspect of living saved my life.’
Mitchell is pictured in 2015 – 12 years after he suffered a spinal injury that ended his career
Due to size concerns, the slight Mitchell went undrafted in 1997, but later signed with the New Orleans Saints and quickly became a starter by the end of his rookie season
Prior to his death, Mitchell was offering classes on mindfulness, while also speaking to groups.
‘Keith Mitchell is a visionary thought leader and mindfulness pioneer who has transformed human potential through the alchemy of adversity,’ read a description on his website. ‘Once an NFL All-Pro linebacker, Keith’s career was shattered by a paralyzing spinal injury.
‘Yet, where most saw an end, he discovered a new beginning. While others saw defeat, he found possibility, using conscious breathing as neural reprogramming and meditation as mental training to regain complete mobility. His journey from paralysis to mastery gave birth to a revolutionary insight: trauma isn’t your fault, but healing is your greatest responsibility.’
Mitchell would publish a book last year, ‘The Mindfulness Mastery Playbook,’ and spent much of his recent years preaching about the benefits of yoga and meditation.
