ex-Redskin Kevin Mitchell R.I.P.

RIP K-Mitch. You deserved to start at MLB.

RIP K-Mitch

According to this mornings article in the local paper, two sources who wished not to be quoted say the cause of death is believed to be sleep apnea. Kevin was truly a well liked person in the community here who never forgot his roots. He was one of two former Redskins to graduate from Harrisburg High. The other Kenny Watson. He's already missed here.

One of my favorite players during the Marty ball era

God bless him and his family. Our prays are with his family.

I don't want to turn this thread in the wrong direction because I was always a fan of Kevin Mitchell, but when a 36 year old former athlete who was healthy enough to last 11 seasons in the NFL dies suddenly of a heart attack, it usually points to organ damage from extensive steroid use.

That being said, it could also have been an undiagnosed heart condition.

C'mon dude. Do you have to bring up steriods? Steriods don't cause you to have a massive heart attack.

C'mon dude. Do you have to bring up steriods? Steriods don't cause you to have a massive heart attack.

They can if you aren't doing enough cardio, and sometimes even that is not enough.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kevin back in 2001. He took time to talk with both of my daughters and me and seemed really pleased to meet us. He was a genuine nice guy. RIP Kevin and my thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time..

C'mon dude. Do you have to bring up steriods? Steriods don't cause you to have a massive heart attack.

Here's an excert from the Drug Addiction and Advice Project;

Long term heavy steroid use may cause damage to the heart, liver and kidneys. Heart problems are due to the blocking of arteries by fatty deposits and increased blood pressure due to water and salt retention (both could lead to a heart attack).

As I said, I'm not trying to turn this into a steroid debate. I'm just pointing out that it looks a little fishy when a 36 year old athlete, who's heart was strong enough to survive 11 training camps suddenly dies of a heart attack. I'm sure others had the same thought.

And whether he used steroids or not doesn't make his death any less tragic. If anything, it's an indictment of professional sports and the strain it puts on these guys, especially someone in Mitchell's position, who had to consistently fight to stay on a roster.

Here's an excert from the Drug Addiction and Advice Project;

Long term heavy steroid use may cause damage to the heart, liver and kidneys. Heart problems are due to the blocking of arteries by fatty deposits and increased blood pressure due to water and salt retention (both could lead to a heart attack).

As I said, I'm not trying to turn this into a steroid debate. I'm just pointing out that it looks a little fishy when a 36 year old athlete, who's heart was strong enough to survive 11 training camps suddenly dies of a heart attack. I'm sure others had the same thought.

And whether he used steroids or not doesn't make his death any less tragic. If anything, it's an indictment of professional sports and the strain it puts on these guys, especially someone in Mitchell's position, who had to consistently fight to stay on a roster.

The words "long term" and "may" don't prove anything in this case. It's just pure speculation on your part. I would probably say that you are wrong. If this guy was on steriods it he would have got caught because of all the testing they do. Perhaps the guy just had a bad heart and it failed. Isn't heart failure the number one killer in America? Same thing happened to Reggie White. His heart failed while he was asleep. I doubt Reggie took steriods.