Kitchen played college football at Kent State. In his senior year, he started 6 games at the nose tackle position. In his junior year, he played in all 12 games in which he recorded 22 tackles for the season. In his sophomore year, he played in 12 games.
Professional career
Baltimore Ravens
He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. On August 31, 2012, he was released.[2]
Cleveland Browns
On September 1, 2012, he was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns. During the 2014-2015 season Kitchen came out with a new sack dance called the "Kitchen Slam." During this celebration Kitchen acted like he was stirring a pot of dough in the kitchen and then slammed it onto the ground. His sack dance caught on and was later voted the best sack dance in the NFL.[3][4] Kitchen was released by the Browns on September 1, 2015.
Detroit Lions
On October 8, 2015, Kitchen signed with the Detroit Lions.[5][6] He was later released on October 23, 2015.[7]
New England Patriots
On December 16, 2015, Kitchen was signed to the active roster of the New England Patriots.[8] He was cut on December 22, 2015 to make room on the roster for Steven Jackson.[9] The Patriots re-signed Kitchen to their 53-man roster on December 30, 2015.
The Patriots released Kitchen on April 15, 2016.[10]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On August 15, 2016, Kitchen was signed by the Buccaneers.[11] On August 28, 2016, Kitchen was waived by the Buccaneers.[12]
In popular culture
In 2015, Kitchen appeared in the Key & Peele skit 'East-West Bowl 3', a Comedy CentralSuper Bowl special which featured NFL players with unusual names.