Khalif Mitchell

Last updated

Khalif Mitchell
No. 60, 96
Khalif Mitchell at 49ers Family Day 2009.JPG
Khalif Mitchell at the 49ers Family Day 2009
Date of birth (1985-04-07) April 7, 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
Career information
CFL status International
Position(s) Defensive tackle
Height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight316 lb (143 kg)
US college University of North Carolina (2005)
East Carolina (20062008)
Career history
As player
20092010 San Francisco 49ers*
20102012 BC Lions
2013 Toronto Argonauts
2014 BC Lions
2015 Montreal Alouettes
2016 Saskatchewan Roughriders
2017 Sioux Falls Storm
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star 2011, 2013
CFL East All-Star 2013
CFL West All-Star 2011
Career stats

Khalif Quadree Mitchell (born April 7, 1985) is an American former professional football defensive tackle. Mitchell played college football for two seasons at the University of North Carolina and later at East Carolina University. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and released in 2010. In 2011, he won a Grey Cup with the BC Lions. In his professional career, Mitchell has played for the B.C. Lions, Toronto Argonauts, Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL, San Francisco 49ers in the NFL and the Sioux Falls Storm in the IFL.

Contents

Early life

A Virginia state native, Mitchell played 1 season of football in 2004 while attending Hargrave Military Academy before transferring to Chapel Hill High School. [1]

College career

Mitchell played his first two seasons of college football as a defensive tackle with the Tarheels team for the University of North Carolina. As an occasional starter, Mitchell recorded 28 tackles, [2] 15 of these were made during the 2005 season. [1]

After his sophomore season at North Carolina, Mitchell transferred to East Carolina University before the start of the 2006 season in which he did not play. His junior season in 2007 included 11 games played that led Mitchell to earning All-Conference USA honors and helping the ECU Pirates football team to victory in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. Upon sustaining injuries to his back and foot, Mitchell saw limited gameplay during the 2008 season.

Approaching the 2009 NFL draft, experts conversely described Mitchell as possessing "a terrific combination of size, speed and strength" but "does not use any of his tools particularly well." Mitchell was also predicted as a 7th round draft pick. [2] By his senior year in 2009 however, it was reported on May 1 that Mitchell signed an undrafted free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers. [1]

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers

After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL draft, Mitchell was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2009. He was waived on September 5, and subsequently signed to the practice squad on September 6. He was released from the practice squad on September 8 and later re-signed to the practice squad on October 13. He was released in early September 2010.

BC Lions (first stint)

Mitchell was signed by the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League on September 21, 2010. He was added to the team's 46-man playing roster as a nose tackle, and activated to the team's 42-man game day roster against the Calgary Stampeders for September 25. With limited playing time in the 2010 CFL season Mitchell only recorded 6 tackles. In Mitchell's second year in the league he earned 2011 CFL All-Star honors with 33 tackles and 6 sacks. In 2011, he won the 99th Grey Cup while playing for the Lions. He re-signed with the BC Lions on January 16, 2012.[ citation needed ]

Mitchell was suspended by the CFL on July 23, 2012, for two games without pay after he violently hyperextended the arm of Edmonton Eskimos offensive lineman Simeon Rottier. [3] After another game, the league also fined him an unspecified amount for making a number of throat-slashing gestures. [4]

Mitchell caused a controversy for what were understood as racist remarks offensive to people of Chinese descent that he made on Twitter regarding the 2012 US Presidential election debate between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. [5] Michell was suspended for one game for his remarks, and fined an undisclosed amount of money. His problems started when he tweeted "My teammate said who I think Won the debate. I said the American Ppl. Cause if they watched carefully BOTH OF THEM Hide Money with the Chinks". He later claimed "So I Never knew "Chink" was racist. I def. meant no harm. I was referring to Obama & Romney putting their personal trust in Chinese Banks." [6] [7]

Toronto Argonauts

On April 2, 2013, the BC Lions traded Mitchell to the Toronto Argonauts for defensive end Adrian Awasom and the rights to an unnamed negotiation list player. [8] Not long after the trade Mitchell began voicing his displeasure with being traded to Toronto. He announced that he would not be attending the Argonauts training camp scheduled to begin on June 1, 2013. Mitchell wanted to be traded to Calgary or Edmonton, or have the trade between the Lions and Argos reversed and have the Lions release him. His future with the Argos was surrounded in uncertainty. [9]

Mitchell changed his mind and was present for mandatory training camp at the start of June 2013. [10] TSN sports reporter Farhan Lalji reported that Mitchell agreed to play the 2013 season with the Argos, under the condition that he be released following the season to pursue employment in the NFL.

Mitchell for the season played in 16 games, recording 32 tackles, five sacks (team high for the season) and one fumble recovery. He was named a CFL East All-Star and a CFL All-Star. On March 10, 2014, Mitchell was released by the Argos.[ citation needed ]

BC Lions (second stint)

Despite rumors Mitchell would sign with an NFL franchise for the 2014 season, Mitchell signed a contract with the Lions on May 6, 2014.[ citation needed ] Mitchell did not have a significant impact on the Lions defense during the 2014 season. He finished the season with only 9 tackles and 1 sack. Following the season he was not re-signed by the Lions, and became a free-agent on February 10, 2015.

Montreal Alouettes

On February 18, 2015, Mitchell signed a 3-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. [11] He was, however, released before the regular season began in 2015 for tweeting a Holocaust denial video and failing to remove the posts from his Twitter page. [12]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On August 31, 2016, midway through the 2016 CFL season Mitchell signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a practice squad member. [13] On September 12, he was released from the team due to "being unfit". After having made additional outspoken remarks about the Jewish community, Khalif Mitchell was advised he had little leeway for expressing what he described as an opinion and that any additional remarks that garnish negative attention would result in his immediate dismissal. [14]

Sioux Falls Storm

On February 7, 2017, Mitchell signed with the Sioux Falls Storm of the Indoor Football League as a starting defensive lineman. As of June 2017, he is currently leading the team in sacks and tackles and is 7th in the entire league. Mitchell and the Storm lost the United Bowl against the Arizona Rattlers on July 7, 2017.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arland Bruce III</span> American gridiron football player (born 1977)

Arland Richard Bruce III is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL). He is a two-time Grey Cup champion, having won in 2004 with the Toronto Argonauts and in 2011 with the BC Lions. He played 12 seasons in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, BC Lions, and Montreal Alouettes. During the 2011 season, he became the 14th CFL receiver to record over 10,000 yards receiving in a career. Bruce also played in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers.

Byron Wesley Parker is a former gridiron football cornerback. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football and college basketball at Tulane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Robertson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1977)

Jamal Robertson is a former American and Canadian football running back and kick returner. He played college football at Ohio Northern and played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL) from 2001 to 2011.

Robert Donald Murphy is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning consensus All-American honors in 1998. Murphy was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2000, and played professionally for the Frankfurt Galaxy, Chicago Enforcers, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, BC Lions and Toronto Argonauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Awasom</span> American gridiron football player (born 1983)

Adrian Awasom is a former American football defensive end. He was a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL and the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at North Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Foley</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1982)

Ricky Foley is a Canadian former professional football defensive end who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the BC Lions in the first round of the 2006 CFL Draft. He is a three-time Grey Cup champion, having won in his rookie year in 2006 and also winning in 2012 and 2013. Foley won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 2009 and also the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian award in 2012. He played CIS football for the York Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeVone Claybrooks</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1977)

Natravis DeVone Claybrooks is the former head coach of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for seven different teams. He also was a member of the Montreal Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders in the CFL. He has also been the defensive coordinator for the Calgary Stampeders. On December 11, 2018, he was announced as head coach of the BC Lions, replacing the retired Wally Buono. Claybrooks played college football at East Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyrell Sutton</span> American gridiron football player (born 1986)

Tyrell DelShawn Sutton, is an American former professional gridiron football running back. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Northwestern. Sutton was also a member of the Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Sacramento Mountain Lions, BC Lions, Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Montreal Alouettes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bear Woods</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

Jonathan "Bear" Woods is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was originally signed by the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He made his professional debut for the Montreal Alouettes (CFL) in 2013 and won a Grey Cup championship with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017. He played college football at Troy University. In January 2022, he was named head football coach at Wetumpka High School in Wetumpka, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henoc Muamba</span> Congolese-Canadian gridiron football player (born 1989)

Henoc Muamba is a Congolese-Canadian former professional football linebacker who played in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL). He was a two-time CFL All-Star, three-time CFL Divisional All-Star, and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2017. In 2022, he won the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts and was named the game's most valuable player (MVP) and Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian, becoming the second player in history to earn both awards. He was also a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Indianapolis Colts, Montreal Alouettes, Dallas Cowboys, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McLeod Bethel-Thompson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

McLeod John Baltazar Bethel-Thompson is an American professional football quarterback for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was a member of the Toronto Argonauts, winning two Grey Cup championships with the team: one as a back-up quarterback in 2017, another as the team's starter in 2022. He played college football at UCLA and Sacramento State. He is the grandson of the 1948 Olympic shot put champion Wilbur 'Moose' Thompson. Bethel-Thompson is a journeyman quarterback having been a member of five different NFL teams, three CFL teams, and one team in the Arena Football League (AFL), United Football League (UFL), and United States Football League (USFL).

Lee Anthony Heath Jr. is an American former professional football cornerback. Heath was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football for Jacksonville State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Ball</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

Marcus Ball is a former Canadian football linebacker. Ball went undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft but signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. Ball attended Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he was voted Class 5A defensive player of the year. He played college football at Florida State, Pearl River Community College, and Memphis. Ball has also been a member of the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, and Calgary Stampeders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boseko Lokombo</span> American football player (born 1990)

Boseko Lokombo is a Congolese-Canadian professional Canadian football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon. Lokombo has also been a member of the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, and the Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Lemon</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Shawn Lemon is an American professional football defensive lineman for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Akron. He has been a member of eight CFL teams, three indoor football teams and two NFL teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davon Coleman</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Davon Coleman is an American gridiron football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In college, he first enrolled at Fort Scott Community College before transferring to Arizona State University. He has also been a member of four National Football League (NFL) teams and three other CFL teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Pipkin</span> American gridiron football player (born 1995)

Antonio Pipkin is an American professional Canadian football quarterback who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Tiffin. Pipkin has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL), and the Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Football Team, Toronto Argonauts, BC Lions, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Williams (linebacker, born 1994)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Jordan Xavier Williams is an American-Canadian former professional football linebacker who played for three years in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted first overall in the 2020 CFL Draft by the BC Lions. He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Edwards (Canadian football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Christopher Edwards is an American former professional football defensive back who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woody Baron</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Woody Baron is an American professional football defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Khalif Mitchell" at ECU Pirates.com. Retrieved May 4, 2024
  2. 1 2 "Khalif Q. Mitchell" at Mile High Report.com. Retrieved May 4, 2024
  3. Ralph, Dan (July 23, 2012). "B.C. Lions lineman suspended two games for hyperextending opponent's arm". The Globe and Mail.
  4. "Khalif Mitchell returns to B.C. Lions". cbc.ca. May 6, 2014.
  5. "CFL veteran Khalif Mitchell fined for promoting Holocaust denial on Twitter". The Guardian. May 14, 2015.
  6. "Lions' Khalif Mitchell fined, will sit out due to offensive tweet". cbc.ca. October 17, 2012.
  7. "CFL, Alouettes levy fines against Khalif Mitchell over tweets". thestar.com. May 14, 2015.
  8. "Traded to Toronto". Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  9. "Displeasure with trade". Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  10. "Khalif Mitchell fills need for Argonauts at training camp". cbc.ca. June 2, 2013.
  11. "Alouettes sign free agent DT Mitchell". TSN. TSN.ca Staff. February 18, 2015.
  12. Sports; Football; Cfl (May 14, 2015). "Montreal Alouettes' Khalif Mitchell says he believes the Holocaust happened after posting Holocaust denial video on Twitter | National Post" . Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  13. "Riders add veteran DL Khalif Mitchell to practice roster". CFL.ca. August 31, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  14. "CFL puts Saskatchewan's Khalif Mitchell on notice after anti-Semitic retweets" . Retrieved January 19, 2020.