Fran Tarkenton played college ball at Georgia from 1958-’60.
At QB over 3 years he completed 186 of 317 passes for 2100 yards and 18 TDs to 20 INT.
In 1961 was a 3rd round pick of the then expansion Minnesota Vikings.
Came off the bench in his first game and threw for 4 TDs and rushed for another in a comeback win.
Rushed for a career high 5 TDs his rookie year.
His 89 yard completion in 1962 led the NFL.
Displayed his gift for running out of the pocket early on- becoming one of the first modern hybrid scrambling QBs.
In ’64 passed for 2506 yards and 22 TDs to 11 INT as Tarkenton led the Vikings to an 8-5-1 record.
Traded to Giants in 1967.
Threw for a career high 3,088 yards and 29 TDs that year.
Traded back to the Vikings in 1972.
During the 70s, alongside the Purple People Eaters, led the Vikings to two 12-2 records, and a 10-2-1 record enroute to the 3 Super Bowl appearances,
Led NFL in Attempts in 1975, ’76, ’78, completions in ’75 and ’78 and completion percentage in 1977.
Finished out on top in 1978 with 3468 yards passing and retired after the season- his 18th in the NFL
At the time of his retirement, owned many of the NFL career passing records.
Moved into business, public speaking, commentating, acting, wrote self help books, and an annuity market firm.
ACCOLADES:
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
All Pro 1975
NFL MVP 1975
NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1875
Pro Bowl 1964-’65, 1967-’70, 1974-’76
Minnesota Vikings 25th Anniversary Team
Minnesota Vikings 40th Anniversary Team
50 Greatest Vikings
Vikings #10 Jersey Retired
Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
NOTES:
Fran Tarkenton with Cathy Lee Crosby on ‘That’s Incredible’ alongside Hopper the Frog
Fran Tarkenton was a very comfortable voice during my childhood, in which I wasn’t really familiar with him from football post retirement but from his stint as a host on the show ‘That’s Incredible’. It only lasted one season in the 80’s but the format, some of the segments, the hosts and the theme music stuck with me over the years.
In 1955, halfback Bobby Mitchell set the Big 10 collegiate record for yards per attempt in a season with 8.6 per carry.
Led the Collegiate All-Star team in 1958 to victory over the Detroit Lions when he caught 2 TD passes.
Mitchell could do it all, and with his diverse athletic skillset he played 4 different positions over his career (LH, HB, FL, SE).
A 7th round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1958 where he was put in the backfield with HOFer Jim Brown.
Used on special teams his rookie season, he had a 98 yard kick of return and a 78 yard punt return for a TD.
In his second season ran for 743 yards on 131 carries.
232 of it came against the Washington Redskins, including a league leading 90 yard scamper.
Led the Browns with 45 catches for 612 yards and 4 TDs, and rushed for 4 more for the Browns averaging 4.6 yards per carry in 1960.
In 1962, was traded to the Washington Redskins- ironically the last team to integrate, and moved to FL.
Had another 90+ yard TD that year, with a kick off return against the Cowboys.
Posted a banner season with 72 catches for 1384 yards and 11 TDs.
Set a franchise record catching a 99 yard TD pass in 1963.
Mitchell posted another 1436 yards and 69 catches (7 TDs) that season.
Led the league with 10 TD grabs on 60 receptions in 1964.
Over the next 3 seasons, averaged roughly 60 catches a season.
Retired during training camp in 1969.
Moved into the Redskins front office as a scout and served in the front office of the franchise through 2003.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1960, 1962-’64
All-Pro 1962-1964
Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor
Washington Redskins #49 (retired)
Greatest 90 Washington Redskins
Pro Football Hall of Fame
University of Illinois Hall of Fame
NOTES:
It can not be said enough that Bobby Mitchell helped integrate the Washington Redskins, which in itself was a challenge, since the franchise was the last one to do so. He is also considered the first black player to play for the team. It was amazing that I found his certified autograph for so cheap on the secondary market.
In an era that prides itself on speed, Mitchell is one of those players who would’ve fit right in. Over his career he had NINE plays from scrimmage going 90+ yards.
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
513
2735
5.3
18
90t
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
521
7954
15.3
65
99t
KR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
102
2690
26.4
5
98t
PR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
69
699
10.1
3
78t
EPITAPH: 4/5/2020- Bobby Mitchell passed away at the age of 84. No cause of death was given.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
