Kawika Mitchell Kawika Uilani Mitchell ( born October 10 , 1979 in Winter Springs , Florida ) is a former American football linebacker . He was originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round in the 2003 NFL Draft . He has also been a member of the New York Giants , Buffalo Bills . He played college football at South Florida . Early years . 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 . In middle school he played Pop 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 . 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 . Professional career . New York Giants . On March 26 , 2007 , he agreed to a one year , $ 1 million deal with the New York Giants . Although he had played all of his career at middle linebacker , he won the weak side linebacker spot from Gerris Wilkinson and started the 2007 season alongside Giants Pro Bowl MLB Antonio Pierce and recently converted strong side LB Mathias Kiwanuka . 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 IR 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 where he suddenly retired after only eight years in the NFL . Family . Mitchell and his wife Billie have a son , Lewai ( pronounced Levi ) and a daughter , Eliza . Charity . Mitchell donated his game check from week 15 to Gridiron Greats which helps retired football players in dire need .