A familiar face when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers is riding off into the sunset.

Longtime assistant, John Mitchell, who has spent the last 29 seasons with the Steelers, is retiring from the NFL.

"I'm grateful to the Rooney family for the wonderful opportunity to coach and work for the Steelers for nearly 30 years," Mitchell said. "It was truly an honor. I'd also like to thank Coach Tomlin for giving me the opportunity to stay with the franchise when Coach Cowher retired. I will treasure my time in Pittsburgh and appreciate everyone affiliated with the organization."

Mitchell started with the Steelers organization in 1994 spending 13 seasons as the team's defensive line coach. In 2007, the first season head coach Mike Tomlin started with the Steelers, Mitchell not only continued his defensive line coach duties but also served as an assistant head coach to Mike Tomlin. Mitchell held down both titles through the 2017 season and spent his last five years as an assistant head coach exclusively.

After 16 seasons working side-by-side with Mitchell, which included four AFC championships and two Super Bowl victories, Tomlin had nothing but praise for him.

"I'm not sure that I can offer sufficient praise and admiration for Mitch – as both a man and football coach," said Tomlin. "Mitch has been a central figure in the success of the Pittsburgh Steelers for nearly three decades. He has coached some of the best players in this franchise's illustrious history, and each one of them, to a man, would tell you their success was a direct result of not only Mitch's coaching acumen but also his mentorship, leadership, and character.

Mitchell spent a few seasons playing junior college ball before attending Alabama. In 1971, he became the first African-American to play football for the Crimson Tide. A year later he was named co-captain, making him the first black player to do so at Alabama. 1973 was also a milestone for Mitchell as he was selected as the first black assistant coach and the youngest coach ever hired in Tuscaloosa.

In 1990, Mitchell broke another barrier, becoming the first black defensive coordinator in the SEC during his one season at LSU.

Steelers president Art Rooney II also expressed high regard for Mitchell.

"Coach Mitch has been a pivotal member of the Steelers organization, in a variety of roles, for the better part of 30 years," said Rooney. "When you consider his path, as both a player and coach, Mitch created opportunities in football for young Black men that quite honestly didn't previously exist. He has left an imprint on this franchise, and the sport and culture of football, that will continue well beyond his retirement."

What a career for Mitchell as a coach that spanded 50 seasons in the college and NFL ranks.

Feature image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports