​A 59-day wait separates us from the New Orleans Saints regular season opener. New Orleans will open 2026 on the road when they travel to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. After the release of defensive tackle Coziah Izzard in June, it doesn’t look as if the Saints will have anyone wearing No. 59 when they begin training camp. Instead, our Saints Player of the Day feature will take a look at Keith Mitchell, a former Pro Bowl linebacker with New Orleans.Name (age): Keith Mitchell (51)Hometown: Garland, TexasPosition: LinebackerHeight, weight: 6-foot-2, 236 poundsCollege: Texas A&M AggiesDrafted: Undrafted in 1997 (Saints)NFL career: 7 yearsOut of Lakeview Centennial High School near Dallas, Texas, Mitchell would attend Texas A&M. He had an outstanding career with the Aggies that included 34 career sacks, more than either future Texas A&M and NFL stars Von Miller or Myles Garrett. As a senior alone in 1996, Mitchell had 14.5 sacks and 10.5 additional tackles for loss along with an interception return for a touchdown. He was second team All-Southwest Conference in 1995 and in 1996 was chosen for the All-American first team.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite his collegiate production, Mitchell was not selected at all in the 1997 NFL Draft. He was instead signed by the New Orleans Saints and quickly rewarded the team for their decision. Mitchell appeared in every game as a rookie reserve and had 4 sacks then by 1998 was a starting linebacker. That year, he’d have 2.5 sacks with 6 fumbles either forced or recovered, including one returned for a score. In 1999, Mitchell led the Saints with 115 tackles (8 for loss) and 4 forced fumbles. He also added 3.5 sacks and 3 interceptions with 13 passes broken up.Mitchell earned Pro Bowl honors with an outstanding 2000 campaign. That season, he had both an interception and fumble return for a touchdown along with 4 fumble recoveries and a career-high 6.5 sacks. Mitchell’s last year with New Orleans was 2001 when he had 2 fumbles forced, 2 sacks, and 90 total tackles. He’d leave as a free agent for the Houston Texans in 2003 and finish a seven-year career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004.During five seasons with the Saints, Mitchell had 18.5 sacks, 17 fumbles forced or recovered, 4 interceptions, and scored 3 defensive touchdowns. A spinal injury suffered in 2003 prematurely ended his career. Despite the injury hampering his mobility, Mitchell overcame it to become a yoga and fitness instructor, author, and motivational speaker. Sadly, Keith Mitchell passed away this year on July 2 at the age of only 51 years old.1 / 21The actor John Goodman was recognized by the crowd at the official opening of the new John Goodman Amphitheatre at Missouri State University on October 30, 2022.
Goodman Theatre798 Print(Bruce Stidham special to the News-Leader, Bruce Stidham special to the News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK)This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Kei