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.
Mike Curtis played college ball at Duke from 1962-’64.
He’d go on to establish himself as one of the greatest athletes in Duke history, playing both LB and FB.
#1 pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1965 who planned to use him exclusively at FB.
Was also selected in the 3rd round of the 1965 AFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Made the transition to MLB in 1966 and the rest became history.
Played alongside ‘The Mad Stork’ Ted Hendricks, as the team lost Super Bowl III and won Super Bowl V.
Played for Colts from 1965-’75.
Joined the expansion Seahawks for ’76, eventually finishing career after the ’77 and ’78 seasons with the Redskins.
Started 125 of 166 contests over career.
ACCOLADES:
Duke Hall of Fame
All-Pro 1968, ’69
Pro Bowl 1968, 1970-’71, ’74
Colts MVP 1974
AFC Defensive Player of the Year 1970
NOTES:
Mike Curtis was one of these sweeping cheap Ebay pickups I did at the beginning of 2020. As a not really big name, I waited this one out- and then promptly forgot to scan the card in when I got it, so it waited in limbo for a while before I tracked it down.
I could make an argument for Mike Curtis to be in the HoF, but I doubt he will ever get in, as defensive statistics weren’t well tracked or considered spectacular at the time. He was an absolute terror patrolling the middle of the field and was extremely effective covering the pass for a LB.
EPITAPH:
4/20/20- Mike Curtis passed away from CTE in St. Petersburg, FL at the age of 77.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
22.0
9
25
289
11.5
2
38
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
