Scott Mitchell: Mormon Athlete
William Scott Mitchell is a former National Football League quarterback who played for twelve seasons. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1990 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins (1990–1991). He was Dan Marino’s back up for three years and started in 1993 when Marino was injured. He also played for the Orlando Thunder (1992), the Miami Dolphins (1992–1993), the Detroit Lions (1994–1998), the Baltimore Ravens (1999), and the Cincinnati Bengals (2000–2001).
Mitchell was born on January 2, 1968, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up in Springville, Utah, where he was a three-sport athlete. He played college football for the University of Utah. After his professional football career, he was head football coach at Springville High School from 2008 to 2012. He owns a software business.
He competed in NBC’s "Biggest Loser: Glory Days," whose finale aired in January 2015. He did not win the title, or the at-home prize, but lost 120 pounds or 32.79 percent of his body weight. At the season finale he said, “We’re here to celebrate what we’ve lost, but really for me, I’m here to celebrate what I’ve gained. I’ve gained a knowledge of making healthy food taste great. I’ve gained a passion for exercise, especially in the morning. I’ve gained some amazing friends. I’ve gained a deeper love for my family and to be present in their life everyday. I’ve gained a love for myself.” He wrote a book about his experience entitled Alive Again, which also details some of the challenges of his home life during his adolescence.
Mitchell is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is the father of five children; the youngest two with his wife, Wendy.
