So right after I got De’Veon on a few cards at the Roughnecks event way, way back in 2020, the XFL Topps set was released. In 2023, when the Brahmas played the Renegades in SA, I finally figured out my strategy for getting autographs, but it was only after the Renegades game that I settled in. It’s pretty much worked like a charm since.
After the Brahmas beat the Renegades, I was able to get De’Veon to come over. Any of the players who were ex-AAFers gravitated towards me to give me props. De’Veon for example played for Orlando.
I also reminded him that I was that fan that flagged him down at the scrimmage that the Vipers had against the Roughnecks back in 2020. He smiled widely and said, “I REMEMBER YOU!!!” We exchanged pleasantries and I tried to get his glove off of him but he had already promised it to the kids across the way. No big deal. Next year!
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.
Channing suited up for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL in 2020.
After the league folded due to COVID, he returned to the CFL and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, whom he’d been with briefly before signing with the XFL.
In 2022, he played for the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL.
He’d intercept 7 passes for 121 yards and make 14 tackles.
Afterwards, briefly was on the offseason roster of the Washington Commanders.
Although drafted by the Battlehawks of the XFL 23, Stribling opted to resign with the Stars.
With the USFL and XFL merged, Stribling was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2024 player dispersal draft.
Ultimately ended up on the roster of the Battlehawks- but was cut during the regular season.
NOTES:
Channing was on a shortlist of players I really wanted since he was impossible to get TTM and he had… four(?) cards I was looking to get signed. Since players didn’t really pay any attention to me pregame, I decided to troll the Battlehawks players.
I yelled at Channing that he wasn’t fooling anyone, since he changed his number from 41 to 14. (Wikipedia even showed it as 41.) I then heckled him about his time with the Express. He smiled and after the game gladly came over and inked these 4 cards. When he looked at them, he called them ‘classic’.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
