Kawika Uilani Mitchell is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League.
Education
Mitchell attended Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Florida, and as a senior, he was named Class 6A player of the year as well as a first team All-Florida pick and finished his senior season with 110 tackles on defense, and 41 rushing attempts for 225 yards with an average of 5.5 yards, and five touchdowns on offense.
Career
He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round in the 2003 NFL Draft and also played for the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints. He played college football at South Florida. In middle school he played People’s Warner Football for the Eagles, where he carried an underweight second string defensive lineman, Brian Schoenbaum, on his back 70 yards into the end zone during practice.
Kawika Mitchell started his college football career with the University of Georgia, but transferred to the South Florida Bulls after his freshman year.
New York Giants
On March 26, 2007, he agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with the New York Giants. After Kiwanuka fractured his fibula in the tenth week of the season, Reggie Torbor moved into the starting lineup with Mitchell and Pierce.
Mitchell struggled in season-opening losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. His play rapidly improved thereafter, and he made game-changing plays in critical wins over the Washington Redskins in week 3 and the Buffalo Bills in week 16.
Mitchell suffered a knee sprain in the season finale against the undefeated New England Patriots, but came back to register the first of five sacks for the Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Mitchell became an unrestricted free agent after the 2007-2008 season after spending just one season with the Giants.
While playing with the Giants, Mitchell was a resident of Hoboken, New Jersey. Buffalo Bills
On February 29, 2008, the Buffalo Bills signed Mitchell to a five-year contract for $17.5M. Mitchell was expected to take over the starting weakside linebacker position that was shared by Coy Wire and Keith Ellison in 2007. On September 10, 2010, two days before their season started, the Bills put Mitchell on the International Rectifier ending his season.
On October 2, 2010 the Buffalo Bills came to an injury settlement with the Linebacker and released him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
On December 8, 2010 he signed with the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans Saints
On December 8, 2010 Mitchell signed with the New Orleans Saints.
Mitchell donated his game check from week 15 to Gridiron Greats which helps retired football players in dire need.