Brian Mitchell (running back)

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For other people with the same name, see Brian Mitchell

Brian Mitchell
Date of birth	August 18, 1968
Place of birth	Fort Polk, Louisiana
Position(s)	Running back Kick returner Punt returner
College	Louisiana-Lafayette
NFL Draft	1990 / Round 5/ Pick 130
Career Highlights
Pro Bowls	1995
Records	Kick return yards (14,014) Most punt return yards (4,999)
Stats
Statistics	Pro Football Reference CBS.com
Team(s)
1990-1999 2000-2002 2003	Washington Redskins Philadelphia Eagles New York Giants

Brian Keith Mitchell (born August 18, 1968 in Fort Polk, Louisiana) is a former American football player who played running back for the Washington Redskins (1990-1999), and later the Philadelphia Eagles (2000-2002) and New York Giants (2003).

He was well known as a kick returner, and is the NFL's second all time leader in total yardage (23,316), thanks in large part to his 14,014 yards from kickoff returns and his 4,999 punt return yards. Both are NFL records. He also rushed for 1,967 yards, caught 255 passes for 2,336 yards, recovered 20 fumbles for 14 return yards, and scored 29 touchdowns (4 kickoff returns, 9 punt returns, 12 rushing, 4 receiving). His 13 special teams touchdowns are also an NFL record.

Mitchell may be best known for his unearthly instincts in evading open field tacklers. His body control and change-of-direction skills were top notch, and helped to make up for his lack of breakaway speed. Some observers may still remember his legendary half-spin move fake, in which he started a spin move but then returned to his former course, shaking a certain defender out of his shoes in the process.

He played college football at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), where he was the lead quarterback, and was drafted by Washington in the 1990 NFL draft for special teams.

In just his second season with the Redskins, Mitchell led the NFL in punt return yards (600) and punt return touchdowns (2), assisting his team to a championship appearance in Super Bowl XXVI, where Washington defeated the Buffalo Bills 37-24. Mitchell continued to play for the Redskins until 1999, leading the NFL in punt return average(14.1) and touchdowns (2) in 1994, and making a pro bowl selection in 1995. In 2000, he joined the Eagles and played for them until 2002. After spending the 2003 season with New York, he was released by the Giants before the 2004 season. He then resigned to a one day contract for the Washington Redskins, thus ending his stellar NFL career.

Since retiring, Mitchell has been a co-host of Redskins Post Game Live on Comcast SportsNet in Washington, DC. He also hosts the Brian Mitchell show on WTEM 980, located in Rockville, Maryland.