http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/...res-lb-mike-mitchells-new-start-at-texas-tech
Father's illness inspires LB Mike Mitchell's new start at Texas Tech
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Mike Mitchell sped down the dark West Texas highway knowing he had forgotten to set his DVR. He would make it back to Lubbock in time to catch the second half of Ohio State’s national championship romp against Oregon, and made sure to text a few Buckeyes -- Ezekiel Elliott and his old roommates -- when it was over.
"I know how hard they worked," Mitchell said. "They deserved it."
He could have made a much shorter drive to Arlington to see his former teammates win it all at AT&T Stadium that Monday night. He had spent a year facing off against Cardale Jones on the practice squad, a year building toward this grand moment. But Mitchell had better plans. He spent the day with family in Plano.
Linebacker Mike Mitchell left Ohio State to play at Texas Tech so he can be closer to his family. They are why he left the eventual national champs to start over at Texas Tech. The sophomore linebacker came home to be closer to his father, former NFL linebacker Ken Mitchell, during his continued bout with a debilitating neurological disorder.
"We tried to talk him into staying at Ohio State," Ken said, "because he’d have a starting role. I said, 'Mike, c'mon, we can get through this.' But he said this was something he had to do. He said, 'This is more important to me.'"
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