Brian Mitchell (American football)

For other people with the same name, see Brian Mitchell (disambiguation).

Brian Mitchell

No. 30

Position:

Return specialist / Running back

Personal information

Date of birth:

August 18, 1968

Place of birth:

Leesville, Louisiana

Height:

5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)

Weight:

221 lb (100 kg)

Career information

High school:

Plaquemine (LA)

College:

Louisiana-Lafayette

NFL draft:

1990 / Round: 5 / Pick: 130

Career history

Career highlights and awards

Pro Bowl (1995)
3× All-Pro (1991, 1994, 1995)
Super Bowl champion (XXVI)
NFL Alumni Kick Returner of the Year (1995)
NFL Punt Return Yards Leader (1991)
Washington Redskins 70th Anniversary Team
Washington Redskins Ring of Fame

NFL Records

14,014 Career Kickoff Return Yards
4,999 Punt Return Yards
19,013 Combined Return Yards
607 Kick Returns
463 Punt Returns
33 Fair Catches in a season
231 Career Fair Catches
16,900 All-Purpose Yards in a Single Decade

Career NFL statistics

Return touchdowns:	13
Punt return yards:	4,999
Kick return yards:	14,014
Rushing and receiving touchdowns:	16
Rushing yards:	1,967
Receiving yards:	2,336
Player stats at NFL.com

Player stats at PFR

Brian Keith Mitchell (born August 18, 1968) is a former American football running back and return specialist in the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round (130th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft. He played college football at University of Southwestern Louisiana where he was a quarterback. Mitchell is widely considered one of the greatest return specialists in NFL history.^[1]

Mitchell also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. He is currently second on the NFL's all-time list in all-purpose yardage with 23,330 yards, behind Jerry Rice. He is also first all time for combined yardage for a non-wide receiver. His 13 special teams touchdowns are second in NFL history, behind Devin Hester, and his nine punt return touchdowns are third behind Eric Metcalf with 10, and Hester with 14. Mitchell was ranked the 2nd Greatest specialist in NFL History by NFL Network's NFL Top 10 Return Aces.

Early years

Mitchell was born in Leesville, Louisiana, and calls Plaquemine, LA^[2] his home town.

College career

Mitchell attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), where he played quarterback.

At Southwestern Louisiana, Mitchell became the first player in NCAA history to pass for more than 5,000 yards (5,447) and rush for more than 3,000 yards (3,335). He also held the NCAA record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (47). As a senior, he rushed for 1,311 yards and passed for 1,966 yards while accounting for 25 touchdowns (six passing, 19 rushing). Yet, in his college career, he never returned a punt or a kickoff.^[3]

Professional career

Mitchell was selected in the fifth round (130th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.

Washington Redskins

As a rookie, Mitchell started off his career by returning the opening kickoff of the Redskins first pre-season game for a touchdown. During a Monday Night Football game that came to be known as "The Body Bag Game" on November 12, 1990, Mitchell had to be subbed in as quarterback after the Philadelphia Eagles knocked the Redskins' starting and backup quarterbacks out of the game. Mitchell went 3-for-5 for 40 yards passing and ran for a touchdown.

During his second season with the Redskins in 1991, Mitchell led the NFL in punt return yards (600) and punt return touchdowns (two), helping his team to an appearance in Super Bowl XXVI, where Washington defeated the Buffalo Bills 37-24.

Mitchell continued to play for the Redskins until 1999, leading the NFL in punt return average(14.1) and touchdowns (two) in 1994, and making a Pro Bowl selection in 1995 .He also led the league in combined yards every season from 1994 through 1996, and again in 1998. He is one of only two players to lead the league in that statistical category at least four times. The other is Hall of Famer Jim Brown, who did it five times.^[3]

Mitchell was released following the 1999 season with the arrival of a new owner, Daniel Snyder.

Later career

Mitchell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2000, and played for them until 2002.

In 2002, Mitchell was one of only two players to be ranked in the top seven in both kickoff returns and punt returns (the other being Michael Lewis of the New Orleans Saints). He was the only player in the NFC to be ranked in the top three in both categories. Mitchell was second in the NFC and third in the NFL with a career-high 27.0-yard average on 43 kickoff returns.^[3] Mitchell was also third in the NFC and seventh in the NFL with a 12.3-yard punt return average on 46 punts. He returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers on November 25. It was Mitchell's 13th career kick returned for a touchdown, breaking a tie with Eric Metcalf and ranking Mitchell first in the record book. That week, he also set a record for kick return yards in a single game with 206 yards on six kick returns.^[3]

He then signed with the New York Giants for the 2003 season.^[3] However, after the season, he was released before the 2004 season. He then re-signed to a one-day contract with the Washington Redskins, allowing him to retire a Redskin.

Legacy

Mitchell is the NFL's second all-time leader in total yardage, second only to Jerry Rice with 23,330 yards, thanks in large part to his 14,014 yards from kickoff returns and his 4,999 punt return yards. Both are NFL records, and his 875 postseason kickoff return yards are a record as well. He also rushed for 1,967 yards on 388 carries (avg. 5.1 rushing yards), caught 255 passes for 2,336 yards, recovered 20 fumbles for 14 return yards, and scored 29 touchdowns (four kickoff returns, nine punt returns, 12 rushing, and four receiving). His 13 special teams touchdowns rank second in the NFL only behind Devin Hester. His nine punt return touchdowns rank third behind Devin Hester (11)and Eric Metcalf (10).

Brian Mitchell also holds the NFL record for most combined yards by any one player against a single opponent: 3,076 all-purpose yards against the Dallas Cowboys

He is also one of only four players to record four seasons of over 2,000 total yards, (the others being Marshall Faulk, Dante Hall and Tiki Barber) and missed out on a fifth by only five yards.

He was inducted into the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame at FedEx Field during the 2009 season.

NFL Records

Combined kickoff and punt return yards: 19,013
Combined kickoff and punt returns: 1,070
Kickoff return yards: 14,014
Kickoff returns: 607
Punt return yards: 4,999
Punt returns: 463
Fair catches: 231
Fair catches in a single season(2000): 33
All-purpose yards by any player against a single opponent: 3,076 against the Dallas Cowboys
Kickoff return yards in postseason: 875
Kickoff returns in postseason: 36
Punt return yards in postseason: 339
Punt returns in postseason: 34-tied with David Meggett
Combined return yards in postseason: 1,214
Combined returns in postseason: 70
Games with 100 all purpose yards: 118
Games with 200 all purpose yards: 15
All-purpose yards on Sunday games only: 20,818
All-purpose yards in a single decade (1990–1999): 16,905
Combined return yards on Sunday games only: 16,957
Most rushing yards in a game by a player with 3 attempts or less: 105, on 2 attempts; 10/1/2000
Oldest player to have an 85+ yard run: 32 years, 44 days

Life after football

On television

Since retiring, Mitchell has been a TV and radio host and analyst for a variety of outlets. On TV, he is currently the NFL analyst for WUSA-TV in Washington D.C., where he co-hosts the station's Sunday night wrap-up program entitled "Sports Plus. Additionally, Mitchell co-hosts "Sports Talk Live" with ex-hog Ric "Doc" Walker and can be seen on Redskins Pre/Post Game Live," both on Comcast SportsNet in Washington, D.C.

On radio

On radio, Mitchell was the host of The Brian Mitchell show on WTEM, located in Rockville, Maryland, until the show ended on April 27, 2007 because of program lineup changes. He then moved to The John Thompson Show as co-host. During the 2008 season on an edition of "The John Thompson Show," Mitchell got into a heated argument with Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who was a guest on the show. Mitchell served as a frequent guest and guest host on "The Sports Junkies" and the "Mike Wise Show" on 106.7 The Fan. Brian announced on January 21, 2010 edition of the Mike Wise Show that he would have his own show on Saturdays from 10-3 on 106.7 The Fan. He also runs the Brian Mitchell Football Camp throughout Virginia. Since March 2012, Mitchell has co-hosted ESPN 980's Inside The Locker Room with former Redskin Rick Walker and local DC area broadcaster Scott Jackson.

Personal life

Mitchell has four children with his wife Monica.^[3] He founded the Brian Mitchell Foundation in 2001 to help disadvantaged children in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and his hometown of Plaquemine, Louisiana.^[3]

References

↑ "Why Brian Mitchell Is the Best Return Specialist in NFL History". bleacherreport.com.
↑ Brian Mitchell's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=673859181
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Eisen, Michael (March 3, 2003). "Giants Sign Return Specialist Brian Mitchell". Giants.com. Retrieved November 23, 2009.

External links

Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns starting quarterbacks

Chris Cagle (1922–1925) Brian Mitchell (1988–1989) Jake Delhomme (1993–1996) Barton Folse (1997–1999) Lance Domec (1997–1998, 2000) Derek Dyer (1998–2000) Jon Van Cleave (2000–2002) Eric Rekieta (2002–2003) Jerry Babb (2003–2006) Michael Desormeaux (2007–2008) Chris Masson (2009–2010) Blaine Gautier (2011) Terrance Broadway (2012–2014) Brooks Haack (2015)

Washington Redskins Super Bowl XXVI Champions

70 Greatest Redskins

21 Terry Allen RB 1995–98
41 Mike Bass CB 1969–75
20 Cliff Battles B 1932–37
33 Sammy Baugh QB 1937–52
31 Don Bosseler B 1957–64
53 Jeff Bostic C 1980–93
4 Mike Bragg P 1968–79
80 Gene Brito DE 1951–53, 1955–58
43 Larry Brown RB 1969–76
77 Bill Brundige DE 1970–77
65 Dave Butz DT 1975–88
21 Earnest Byner RB 1989–93
84 Gary Clark WR 1985–92
51 Monte Coleman LB 1979–94
53 Al DeMao C 1945–53
36 Chuck Drazenovich LB 1950–59
35 Bill Dudley RB 1950–51, 1953
17 Turk Edwards T 1932–40
44 Andy Farkas FB 1938–44
37 Pat Fischer CB 1968–77
28 Darrell Green CB 1983–2002
68 Russ Grimm G 1981–91
55 Chris Hanburger LB 1965–78
57 Ken Harvey LB 1994–98
56 Len Hauss C 1964–77
27 Ken Houston S 1973–80
70 Sam Huff LB 1964–67, 1969
66 Joe Jacoby T/G 1981–93
47 Dick James RB 1955–63
9 Sonny Jurgensen QB 1964–74
22 Charlie Justice RB 1950, 1952–54
17 Billy Kilmer QB 1971–78
26 Paul Krause DB 1964–67
79 Jim Lachey T 1988–95
14 Eddie LeBaron QB 1952–53, 1955–59
72 Dexter Manley DE 1981–89
71 Charles Mann DE 1983–93
58 Wilber Marshall LB 1988–92
73 Mark May T 1981–89
79 Ron McDole DE 1971–78
63 Raleigh McKenzie G 1985–94
53 Harold McLinton LB 1969–78
40 Wayne Millner E 1936–41, 1945
49 Bobby Mitchell FL 1962–68
30 Brian Mitchell RB 1990–99
81 Art Monk WR 1980–93
3 Mark Moseley K 1974–86
29 Mark Murphy S 1977–84
21 Mike Nelms KR 1980–84
52 Neal Olkewicz LB 1979–89
23 Brig Owens LB 1966–77
65 Vince Promuto G 1960–70
44 John Riggins RB 1976–79, 1981–85
11 Mark Rypien QB 1987–93
83 Ricky Sanders WR 1986–93
76 Ed Simmons T 1987–93
87 Jerry Smith TE 1965–77
60 Dick Stanfel G 1956–58
74 George Starke T 1973–84
72 Diron Talbert DT 1971–80
84 Hugh (Bones) Taylor E 1947–54
42 Charley Taylor WR 1964–77
7 Joe Theismann QB 1974–85
67 Rusty Tillman LB 1970–77
85 Don Warren TE 1979–92
25 Joe Washington RB 1981–84
17 Doug Williams QB 1986–89

Coaches

George Allen Head Coach 1971–77
Ray Flaherty Head Coach 1936–42
Joe Gibbs Head Coach 1981–92

Washington Redskins Ring of Fame

George Allen Head Coach 1971–77
Cliff Battles RB 1932–37
Sammy Baugh QB 1937–52
Gene Brito DE, 1951–53, 1955–58
Larry Brown RB 1969–76
Dave Butz DT 1975–88
Gary Clark WR 1985–92
Jack Kent Cooke Owner 1961–97
Bill Dudley RB, 1950–51, 1953
Wayne Curry Prince George's County Executive 1994–2002
Pat Fischer CB 1968–77
Joe Gibbs Head Coach, 1981–92, 2004–07
Darrell Green CB 1983–2002
Russ Grimm G 1981–91
Chris Hanburger LB 1965–78
Ken Harvey LB 1994–98
Len Hauss C 1964–77
Phil Hochberg PA Announcer 1963–2000
Ken Houston S 1973–80
Sam Huff LB, 1964–67, 1969
Joe Jacoby T/G 1981–93
Dick James RB 1956–63
Sonny Jurgensen QB 1964–74
Charlie Justice RB, 1950, 1952–54
Billy Kilmer QB 1971–78
Eddie LeBaron QB, 1952–53, 1955–59
Vince Lombardi Head Coach 1969
Dexter Manley DE 1981–89
Charles Mann DE 1983–93
George Preston Marshall Team Founder & Owner 1932–69
Wayne Millner End, 1936–41, 1945
Bobby Mitchell Flanker 1962–68
Brian Mitchell RB/KR 1990–99
Art Monk WR 1980–93
Mark Moseley PK 1974–86
Brig Owens DB 1966–77
Richie Petitbon S 1971-72, defensive coordinator 1981-92
Vince Promuto G 1960–70
John Riggins RB, 1976–79, 1981–85
Jerry Smith TE 1965–77
Charley Taylor WR 1964–77
Sean Taylor S 2004–07
Joe Theismann QB 1974–85
Lamar "Bubba" Tyer Head Athletic Trainer, 1971–2002, 2004–08
Doug Williams QB 1986–89

Washington Redskins 1990 NFL Draft selections

Andre Collins Mohammed Elewonibi Cary Conklin Rico Labbe Brian Mitchell Kent Wells Tim Moxley D'Juan Francisco Thomas Rayam Jon Leverenz

Draft years 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1950 AAFC 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

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