Bobby Mitchell - Images and Highlights from His 11-Year NFL Career

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First Black player to play for the Washington Redskins, he was a 7th round draft of the Cleveland Browns in 1958 out of Illinois. Known as a exciting and dynamic player, of his 91 career touchdowns, 34 came on plays of 40+ yards. His first score of the 1963 season was a 99-yard touchdown catch from Redskin quarterback George Izo against his former team – the Browns.

Hall of Fame – 1983
11-Year Career
4-Time Pro Bowler
91 Touchdowns Scored
2735 Career Rushing Yards
521 Career Catches – 7954 Yards
10,689 Yards from Scrimmage
14,078 Total Combined Yards
34 Touchdowns on Plays of over 40 yards
First Black Player of the Washington Redskins

Traded to the Washington Redskins in 1962 he spent 7 seasons with Washington where was used primarily as in the Flanker position catching 393 passes for 6492 yards and 49 touchdowns. He retired after the 1968 NFL season.

Image Gallery of Bobby Mitchell, Running Back/Receiver 1958-1968

Old School NFL – 1961! Browns halfback Bobby Mitchell takes off after hauling in a pass against Pittsburgh. Steelers defender Dicky Moegle (#47) moves in after hurdling Browns blocker Dick Schafrath (#77). The 1961 season would be Mitchell’s last in Cleveland. He joined the Washington Redskins in 1962, beginning the next chapter of his outstanding NFL career.

1961 was Bobby Mitchell's last year in Cleveland. After 4 very successful seasons as a Brown he would join the Washington Redskins were he would play another 7 seasons and be named to the Fall of Fame in 1983. Here that's Ram John LoVetere closing in on him.

Bobby Mitchell joined the Redskins in 1962 and would lead the NFL with 72 catches and 1384 yards. Here he makes a catch over the back of up-and-coming star of the Cleveland Browns Don Fleming. Fleming would tragically die in a construction accident before the 1963 NFL season.

Redskin Bobby Mitchell struggles to hold on to ball amidst a collision with Steelers defensive back Glenn Gass. In 1963 Mitchell led the NFL in receiving yards with 1436 yards on 69 catches, a 20.8 YPC average. He also had a 99 yard score in the season opener against his former team Cleveland.

Redskins Great Bobby Mitchell played 7 seasons in Washington and between Running, Receiving and Returning Kicks & Punts he wracked up 8162 yards and 53 Touchdowns.

Giants Jim Katcavage lunges at Browns great Bobby Mitchell in the late 50s, early 1960s action.

Redskins great Bobby Mitchell makes a catch against the Cardinals Larry Wilson and Pat Fischer - no easy task. In 1964 Mitchell made his 4th and final Pro Bowl while leading the league with 10 rushing TDs. Meanwhile Fischer would be named to the sole All Pro Team of his career.

Cleveland Browns runner Bobby Mitchell steps into a breach of the Cardinals defense with Browns lineman Jim Ray Smith (#64) and Dick Schafrath (#77) in the lead. From 1961 word is this play went for a 56-yard Browns score.

In 1962 Bobby Mitchell became the first Black player to ever play for the Washington Redskins. Named All Pro that season when he led the NFL with 72 catches and 1384 yards. His 11 TD catches were the third best as well.

Bobby Mitchell, recently aquired by the Washington Redskins, makes a catch against his former team, Cleveland in 1962. Mitchell had a 50-yard score in this game as the Redskins triumphed by a score of 17-16. #44 for Cleveland is cornerback Jim Shofner.

Bobby Mitchell of the Cleveland Browns makes a finger-tip touchdown catch against Redskins Jim Kerr and Joe Krakoski. Mitchell would finish the season with a total of 10 scores in 1961 - his last season as a Brown.

The Great Bobby Mitchell leaves defenders flailing on the ground as he hurdles over them. We think this picture is from 1961 against the Redskins and #62 may be former Ram lineman Duane Putnam.

Browns great in the early 1960s carries against the Washington Redskins - we think #41 is Redskins defensive back Jim Steffen.

Left the NFL in 1968 as the Washington franchise All Time Leading receiver with 393 catches and 6492 receiving yards. Today almost 35 years later those numbers still rank #8 and #5 in the Commanders record books.

Newly acquired from the Browns Bobby Mitchell quickly earned his spot on the Redskins roster in 1962. Here he out distances Rosey Grier (#76), Sam Huff (#70), Dan Modzelewski (#77) and the rest of the Giants defense.

Redskins great Bobby Mitchell uses some fancy footwork in an effort to escape the clutches of Rams defender Alvin Hall (#46) while Hall narrowly eludes getting blocked by Redskins lineman Fran O'Brien. Mitchell joined the Redskins in 1962 where the Skins moved him to receiver. Mitchell led the NFL in both Receptions (72) and Receiving Yards (1384). He also had 11 touchdown catches.

Making a touchdown catch over Cardinals great Jerry Stovall. In all he scored 91 TDs in his 11-year career, 53 of those as a Redskin.

Old School NFL - 1961! Browns halfback Bobby Mithcell takes off after taking in a pass against Pittsburgh. Steelers defender Dicky Moegle moves in after hurdling Browns blocker Dick Schafrath (#77). 1961 would be Mitchell's last season with Cleveland as he joined Washington in 1962.

Together with the Legendary Jim Brown (#32), Bobby Mitchell (#49) was part of one the NFL most productive backfields. In 4 seasons they combined for 7818 rushing yards, 64 rushing touchdowns, 233 catches, 2453 recieving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns.

Bobby Mitchell Football Cards

Bobby Mitchell's Cleveland Browns Rookie Card, Topps #140. A 7th Round pick from Illinois he rushed for 500 yards in 1958 and scored a total of 6 touchdowns.

Bobby Mitchell All-Time Career Statistics

Regular Season Kick & Punt Return Totals
					Punts					Kicking					All Purpose Yards
Year	Age	Team	#	Games	Returns	Yards	Y/R	Long	TD	Rt	Yds	Y/Rt	Lng	TD	All Purpose Yards
1958‡	23	CLE	49	12	14	165	11.8	68	1♦	18	454	25.2♦	98	1	1250
1959	24	CLE	49	12	17	177	10.4	78	1	11	236	21.5	31	0	1507
1960*	25	CLE	49	12	9	101	11.2	34	0	17	432	25.4	90	1♦	1651
1961	26	CLE	49	14	14	164	11.7	64	1	16	428	26.8	91	1♦	1508
1962*+	27	WAS	49	14	3	7	2.3	4	0	12	398	33.2	92	1	1794
1963*	28	WAS	49	14	6	49	8.2	28	0	9	343	38.1	92	1	1852
1964*	29	WAS	49	14					0	3	58	19.3	28	0	995
1965	30	WAS	49	14	1	15	15.0	15	0	5	106	21.2	35	0	988
1966	31	WAS	49	14	4	21	5.3	13	0					0	1067
1968	33	WAS	49	14	1	0	0.0	0	0	11	235	21.4	43	0	411
7 Years		Redskins		98	15	92	6.1	28	0	40	1140	28.5	92	2	8162
4 Years		Browns		50	54	607	11.2	78	3	62	1550	25.0	98	3	5916
11 Years		NFL		148	69	699	10.1	78	3	102	2690	26.4	98	5	14078

Regular Season Kick & Punt Return Totals
				Punts					Kicking					All Purpose Yards
Year	Age	Team	Games	Returns	Yards	Y/R	Long	TD	Rt	Yds	Y/Rt	Lng	TD	All Purpose Yards
1958‡	23	CLE	12	14	165	11.8	68	1♦	18	454	25.2♦	98	1	1250
1959	24	CLE	12	17	177	10.4	78	1	11	236	21.5	31	0	1507
1960*	25	CLE	12	9	101	11.2	34	0	17	432	25.4	90	1♦	1651
1961	26	CLE	14	14	164	11.7	64	1	16	428	26.8	91	1♦	1508
1962*+	27	WAS	14	3	7	2.3	4	0	12	398	33.2	92	1	1794
1963*	28	WAS	14	6	49	8.2	28	0	9	343	38.1	92	1	1852
1964*	29	WAS	14					0	3	58	19.3	28	0	995
1965	30	WAS	14	1	15	15.0	15	0	5	106	21.2	35	0	988
1966	31	WAS	14	4	21	5.3	13	0					0	1067
1968	33	WAS	14	1	0	0.0	0	0	11	235	21.4	43	0	411
7 Years		Redskins	98	15	92	6.1	28	0	40	1140	28.5	92	2	8162
4 Years		Browns	50	54	607	11.2	78	3	62	1550	25.0	98	3	5916
11 Years NFL Career		NFL	148	69	699	10.1	78	3	102	2690	26.4	98	5	14078