Redskins Great, Football Hall Of Famer Bobby Mitchell Dies At 84

WASHINGTON, DC — Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell, the first African American to play for the Washington Redskins, has died, the team announced Sunday night. Mitchell was 84. No cause of death was disclosed.

Mitchell, one of the most dazzling players in Redskins history, retired in 1969, finishing his 11-year NFL career with 14,078 total yards. He had 91 career touchdowns, including 65 receiving and 18 rushing. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

"I was extremely saddened to hear the news about the passing of the great Bobby Mitchell," Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder said Sunday night in a statement. "Bobby was a Hall of Fame player and executive and represented the Washington Redskins organization with integrity for over 50 years."

"Not only was he one of the most influential individuals in franchise history, but he was also one of the greatest men I have ever known. He was a true class act and will be sorely missed," Synder said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Gwen and the entire Mitchell family during this time."

Mitchell began his pro career as a running back for the Cleveland Browns in 1958. In 1962, the Browns traded Mitchell to the Redskins, who moved him to wide receiver. He played with the Redskins until his retirement.

Mitchell led the NFL with 72 receptions for 1,384 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1962 and came back with 69 catches for 1,436 yards and seven more touchdowns in 1963. The next year, future Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen became the Redskins quarterback. During the next four years, Mitchell's reception totals were 60, 60, 58 and 60.

Mitchell was born June 6, 1935, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A star in several sports while in high school, Mitchell attended the University of Illinois on a football scholarship.

After retiring, Mitchell became active in the Washington, D.C. community. In 1990, he started an annual golf tournament that raised funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Lansdowne Resort near Leesburg hosted several of Mitchell's annual golf tournaments, including the final one in 2012.