Bobby Mitchell
Bobby Mitchell: Hall of Fame halfback and wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins, first black player to integrate the Redskins.
Robert Cornelius Mitchell (June 6, 1935 – April 5, 2020) was an American professional football player who was a halfback and wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and professionally for the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins. In 1962 he was the first black player to sign with the Redskins, who were the last NFL team to racially integrate.
- Role
- Halfback / Wide Receiver
- Team
- Cleveland Browns (1958–1961)
- Hall of Fame Induction
- 1983
- Key Achievement
- First black player to sign with the Washington Redskins; 43 receptions as a rookie
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Mitchell was drafted 84th overall in the seventh round of the 1958 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, where he played as a halfback. He was teamed with Jim Brown to give the Browns one of the most successful running back combinations from 1958 through 1961. As a rookie, Mitchell had a 98-yard kickoff return. A year later against Washington, he rushed for 232 yards, including a 90-yard scoring scamper, a Browns record until it was broken by Nick Chubb in 2018. The same year, he returned a punt 78 yards against the New York Giants. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 1960. As a Brown, Mitchell accumulated 2297 yards rushing, 1463 yards receiving, 607 yards on punt returns, 1550 yards on kickoff returns, and scored 38 touchdowns. He once held the Browns' career record for kickoff returns for touchdowns.
In Their Own Story
In 1955, during his sophomore year at the University of Illinois, Mitchell turned a season around after junior Harry Jefferson went down with an injury seven games into the season. Entering in the third quarter against third-ranked Michigan, Mitchell ran his first touch for a 64-yard touchdown. He finished that game with 173 yards on just 10 carries as the Illini upset the Wolverines 25–6. His college dominance continued into track and field; in February 1958, he set an indoor world record of 7.7 seconds in the 70-yard low hurdles, a mark that lasted only six days. Despite his sights being set on the 1960 Summer Olympics, Cleveland Browns head coach Paul Brown convinced Mitchell to play football by offering him $7,000 for his rookie season, steering him toward an NFL career instead of Olympic glory.
Reader's Guide
Mitchell was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and attended Langston High School. There, he played football, basketball, and track, and was good enough at baseball to be offered a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. Instead of playing professional baseball, Mitchell chose to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and had a particularly good sophomore year. At the beginning of the 1955 season, he was behind junior Harry Jefferson on the depth chart. Seven games into the season, Jefferson went down with an injury, and Mitchell took over at one of the halfback spots. The first time he handled the football, he ran 64 yards for a touchdown. Though he entered in the third quarter, Mitchell gained 173 yards in 10 carries, and the Illini upset third-ranked Michigan, 25–6. He gained more than 100 yards in each of the final two games of the season, when he also played as a defensive back. That year, he averaged a record 8.6 yards per rush. As a junior in 1956, Mitchell did not see the field much due to a knee injury. After his senior season, he was invited to play in the College All-Star Game, where he got behind defensive back James David on an 84-yard touchdown reception, and then scored again on an 18-yard pass from Jim Ninowski. The All-Stars upset the Detroit Lions, 35–19, and Mitchell and Ninowski shared game MVP honors. Mitchell was named first-team All-Big Ten football in 1955 and second-team status in 1957. He was named to The Pigskin Club Honor Roll by The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. Mitchell was even more successful in track. In February 1958, he set an indoor world record (one that lasted only six days) with a 7.7 mark in the 70-yard low hurdles. He was the runner-up in the long jump at the 1958 NCAA Track and Field Championships. In the Big Ten championships, he scored 13 points and helped Illinois win the title. Mitchell was unsure whether he wanted to pursue a career in football or track. Even though the 1960 Summer Olympics were still two years away, he had his sights set on competing on the American team. However, Cleveland Browns head coach Paul Brown offered to pay him $7,000 during his rookie season and was able to convince Mitchell to play football instead of participating in the Olympics.
Did You Know?
- Mitchell once held the Browns' career record for kickoff returns for touchdowns.
- Mitchell posted a 6.3 yards-per-carry average as a rookie in 1958, though this is not an official franchise record.
- Mitchell was the first black player to sign with the Washington Redskins in 1962.
- He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
- Mitchell's jersey number 49 was retired by the Washington Redskins on June 20, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bobby Mitchell?
Bobby Mitchell was a dynamic halfback and wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns from 1958 to 1961, known for his explosive speed and versatility on both offense and special teams. He later became a Hall of Famer in 1983 after a career defined by breaking barriers and setting records.
What role did Bobby Mitchell play alongside Jim Brown?
Mitchell formed one of the NFL's most potent running back duos with Jim Brown, sharing the backfield to create a balanced and devastating offensive attack for Cleveland. His ability as a receiver complemented Brown's power rushing, making them a difficult matchup for defenses.
Why is Bobby Mitchell considered an integration pioneer?
In February 1962, Mitchell was traded to Washington where he became the franchise's first Black player, paving the way for future diversity in the team. This historic move marked him as a courageous leader who helped integrate professional football in new markets.
What were Bobby Mitchell's standout rookie achievements?
As a rookie with the Browns in 1958, he immediately made an impact by recording 43 receptions and establishing himself as a premier return specialist. His early performance highlighted his unique ability to dominate as both a runner and a receiver.
When was Bobby Mitchell inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Bobby Mitchell was officially enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983, recognizing his exceptional career stats and his lasting impact on the game. This honor cemented his legacy as one of Cleveland's most legendary players.
More in Legendary Players & Coaches
Elsewhere in the Cleveland Browns universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record