A Frederick High School graduate, Keith Lee excelled in football and is considered to be one of the best players who ever represented the school. As a three-year letterman, he was selected All-Conference and All-City for two consecutive years. He was the Baltimore Chapter of the National Football Conference’s Scholar Athlete as well as Frederick High’s Scholar Athlete in 1978. As a proficient basketball player, Lee was selected All- Conference Team and All-City Team, and was voted Player of the Year by the Frederick News-Post and the Hagerstown Herald Mail. Continuing his football career at the University of Virginia, Lee was a four-year starter and led the team in tackles and interceptions. In 1982, he was an undrafted free agent for the Dallas Cowboys and a free agent for the New England Patriots in 1982–1983.