Age: 23
College: Illinois
Height: 6’0” Weight: 188
Prelude:
A track as well as football
star in college, Mitchell was chosen by Cleveland
in the seventh round of the 1958 NFL draft. After having an outstanding
performance in the College All-Star Game against the Detroit Lions, he joined
the Browns and was teamed with second-year FB Jim Brown to create an
outstanding running tandem.
1958 Season Summary
Appeared in all 12 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate
league rank in Top 20]
Rushing
Attempts – 80
Most attempts, game - 13 (for 108 yds.) vs. Pittsburgh 10/19, (for 65 yds.) vs. NY Giants 11/2
Most attempts, game - 13 (for 108 yds.) vs. Pittsburgh 10/19, (for 65 yds.) vs. NY Giants 11/2
Yards – 500 [12]
Most yards, game - 147 yds. (on 11att.) vs. Chi. Cardinals 10/12
Most yards, game - 147 yds. (on 11att.) vs. Chi. Cardinals 10/12
Average gain – 6.3 [3]
TDs – 1
100-yard rushing games - 2
100-yard rushing games - 2
Pass Receiving
Receptions – 16
Yards – 131
Average gain – 8.2
TDs – 3
Kickoff Returns
Returns – 18 [4]
Yards – 454 [4]
Average per return – 25.2 [3]
TDs – 1 [3, tied with Terry Barr, Willie Galimore & Leroy Bolden]
Longest return – 98 yards
Punt Returns
Returns – 14 [14, tied with Johnny Morris, Jimmy Sears & Jim Shanley]
Yards – 165 [4]
Average per return – 11.8 [2]
TDs – 1 [1, tied with Yale Lary]
Longest return – 68 yards
All-Purpose yards – 1250 [5]
Scoring
TDs – 6
Points – 36
Postseason: 1 G (Eastern Conference playoff at NY Giants)
Punt returns – 1
Punt return yards – 2
Awards & Honors:
NFL Rookie of the Year: Sporting
News
Browns went 9-3 to tie for
first place in the Eastern Conference while leading the NFL in rushing (2526
yards). Lost Eastern Conference playoff to New York Giants (10-0).
Aftermath:
With his great speed and
moves, Mitchell continued to play well for the Browns for the next three
seasons. He had a 232-yard rushing performance in a game against the Redskins
in 1959 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in ’60. Traded to Washington for 1962 in a move that
integrated the club, Mitchell was shifted to flanker and led the NFL in pass
receptions (72) and yards (1384) and was a consensus first-team All-Pro. He was
also chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first of three consecutive seasons.
Mitchell led the league in receiving yards again in ’63 (1436) and TD
receptions in 1964 (10). Consistent and a game-breaking deep threat, he was
also used occasionally at halfback, especially in 1967 when he carried the ball
61 times, in an attempt to bolster Washington’s weak running game. Retiring
after the 1968 season, his career totals were 521 pass receptions (third
all-time in the NFL at that point) for 7954 yards (15.4 avg.) and 65 TDs.
Adding in his rushing and kick returning, his 14,078 total yards also ranked
third at the time and his 91 touchdowns were fifth. Mitchell was inducted into
the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1983.
--
Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in
the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization
(Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association,
United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL
Rookie of the Year).
[Updated 2/8/14]
[Updated 2/22/17]
[Updated 2/8/14]
[Updated 2/22/17]
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