Bobby Mitchell, the speedy Hall of Famer who became the Washington Redskins' first black player, has died.
He was 84.
Mitchell split his career with the Cleveland Browns and Redskins and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983. The Hall of Fame said Sunday night that Mitchell's family said he died in the afternoon but didn't provide any other details.
The game lost a true legend today, Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker said in a statement.
Bobby was an incredible player, a talented executive and a real gentleman to everyone with whom he worked or competed against.
When Mitchell joined the Redskins in 1962, they became the last NFL team to integrate. After playing his first four seasons in Cleveland, he spent seven more with Washington and retired with the second-most combined offensive yards.
Mitchell became a Redskins scout and later served as assistant general manager.
His passion for the game of football was unmatched by anyone I have ever met,
Retired NFL running back Brian Mitchell, who has no relation to Bobby but became friends with him, said he learned from the Hall of Famer,
Tough times don't remain, tough people do, and you don't let what you go through change who you are unless it's for the better."
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