Kawika Mitchell

Kawika Uilani Mitchell is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at University of South Florida. Mitchell was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round in 2003.[1] Mitchell also played for the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints.

Kawika Mitchell
refer to caption
Kawika Mitchell answering questions from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in 2012
No. 50, 55, 59, 94
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1979-10-10) October 10, 1979
Winter Springs, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:253 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school:Lake Howell (FL)
College:South Florida
NFL Draft:2003 / Round: 2 / Pick: 47
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:487
Sacks:12
Interceptions:6
Player stats at NFL.com

College career

Kawika Mitchell started his college football career with the University of Georgia, but transferred to the South Florida Bulls after his freshman year. During his career he made 367 tackles, a school record, and he was nominated for the Butkus Award as a junior and senior.[2]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		 253 lb
(115 kg)		 31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		 10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		4.70 s1.64 s2.70 s4.24 s7.32 s37 in
(0.94 m)		9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)		25 reps
All values from NFL Combine.[3]
Kawika Mitchell at 2007 New York Giants training camp.

While playing with the Giants, Mitchell was a resident of Hoboken, New Jersey.[4] Mitchell appeared in Super Bowl XLII, and recorded 8 tackles and a sack.[5]

On February 29, 2008, the Buffalo Bills signed Mitchell to a five-year contract for US$17.5 million (equivalent to about $23.8M in 2022). Mitchell was expected to take over the starting weakside linebacker position that was shared by Coy Wire and Keith Ellison in 2007.[6][7] On September 10, 2010, two days before their season started, the Bills put Mitchell on the IR, ending his season.[8]

Personal life

Mitchell and his wife Billie have a son, Lewai (pronounced Levi) who followed in his footsteps at playing football for the University of South Florida.[9] He also has a daughter, Eliza.[10] In 2007, Mitchell donated his game check from week 15 to Gridiron Greats which helps retired football players in dire need.[11]

References
  1. "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  2. Brandon Masuoka, "Linebacker Mitchell set for happy homecoming", The Honolulu Advertiser, January 31, 2003.
  3. "Kawika Mitchell, South Florida, ILB, 2003 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com.
  4. Mullins, Michael D. "Was it the shoes? Local fan says he has secret of Giants' success, as city plans celebration" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Hudson Reporter, February 19, 2008. Accessed February 6, 2013. "City officials said that besides quarterback Eli Manning, who lives in the Hudson Tea Building on 15th Street, linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Mathias Kiwanuka are Hoboken residents."
  5. "Super Bowl XLII - New York Giants vs. New England Patriots - February 3rd, 2008 | Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  6. The Buffalo News: Latest Local News: Bills reach five-year deal with Giants linebacker
  7. Bills acquire LB Mitchell | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle
  8. MVP Gotham - Buffalo Bills place Kawika Mitchell on the IR Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. Lewai Mitchell on the USF Bulls 2023 roster.
  10. Buffalo Bills Bio
  11. "Ditka's charity being closed – The Denver Post". December 11, 2007.
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