James Robert Mitchell (October 19, 1947 – October 20, 2007) was an American professional football player who was a tight end for 11 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected as a member of the Pro Bowl following his 1969 rookie season and again in 1972.
Biography Jim Mitchell was born October 19, 1947, in Shelbyville, Tennessee .
Mitchell attended Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, where he was a two sport athlete. An all-conference split end on the football team, Mitchell also pitched and played first base for the school baseball team.Tom Bennett, 1972 Atlanta Falcons (media guide). Atlanta, GA: Atlanta Falcons Football Club, 1972; p. 34.
Mitchell was drafted 81st overall in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. During his rookie season the big tight end caught 22 passes for 339 yards, scoring 4 touchdowns—sufficient to win him a place on the 1969 Pro Bowl team."1969 NFL Pro Bowlers," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com/
He nearly doubled his production during his second season with the team, catching 44 balls for 650 yards and 6 touchdowns. Although the Falcons were a poor team in these years, Mitchell emerged as an offensive star and team leader and he was named captain of the Falcons offense in 1971.
Mitchell was again named to the NFL Pro Bowl team in 1972.
After leaving the NFL, Mitchell coached football at Morehouse College and Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, supporting the tradition of college football at historically black colleges and universities.
Mitchell died on October 20, 2007, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, at the age of 60.
NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high
Regular season Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1969 ATL 14 14 22 339 15.4 42 4 1970 ATL 14 14 44 650 14.8 51 6 1971 ATL 13 13 33 593 18.0 43 5 1972 ATL 14 14 28 470 16.8 40 4 1973 ATL 14 14 32 420 13.1 50 0 1974 ATL 14 14 30 479 16.0 52 1 1975 ATL 14 14 34 536 15.8 32 4 1976 ATL 14 14 17 209 12.3 39 0 1977 ATL 12 12 17 178 10.5 17 0 1978 ATL 16 16 32 366 11.4 24 2 1979 ATL 16 16 16 118 7.4 14 2 155 155 305 4,358 14.3 52 28
Playoffs Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1978 ATL 2 2 3 35 11.7 19 1 2 2 3 35 11.7 19 1
Personal life Mitchell's son, Brandon Hodges, played football at Bethune-Cookman University.
References
External links Death Notice