4304295 ACR 19-353, "Bobby Mitchell Recognition Resolution of 2012"

 A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

 

19-353

 

In the Council of the District of Columbia

 

December 18, 2012

 

To recognize Bobby Mitchell for his many contributions to the District of Columbia community.

 

WHEREAS, 50 years ago, Bobby Mitchell made his debut as a player for the Washington Redskins and made the District of Columbia his home;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell played for the Washington Redskins from 1962 to 1968;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell was the first African-American to play for the Washington Redskins, making the Washington Redskins a team that represented the diversity of the District of Columbia;

 

WHEREAS, the opportunity for Bobby Mitchell to play for the Washington Redskins was due in part to the efforts made by the Kennedy Administration, led by Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, to force the Redskins management to open itself up to African-American players, the last National Football League team to do so;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell won the National Football League receiving title in 1962 with 72 catches;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell played a total of 11 seasons and 148 games in the National Football League;

 

WHEREAS, at the end of his last season as a Washington Redskins player, Bobby Mitchell held 5 team records, including most points scored and most receptions;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell was selected to play in the Pro Bowl 7 times;

 

WHEREAS, during his 6 seasons with the Washington Redskins, Bobby Mitchell never caught fewer than 58 passes;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell had a career 14,078 combined yards, which was the second highest record in the NFL at the time of his retirement;

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell played alongside such outstanding players and NFL Hall of Famers as Jim Brown, Sonny Jurgenson, Charley Taylor, and Sam Huff;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1983;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell continued to work for the Washington Redskins organization as a pro scout and as assistant general manager until his retirement in 2003;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell is married to Gwen Mitchell and is the father of 2children, Robert, Jr. and Terri;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell has made a second career in doing charitable work;

 

WHEREAS,  since 1980, Bobby Mitchell has hosted the Bobby Mitchell’s Hall of Fame Golf Classic which has raised over $7 million for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society;

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell’s service in the fight against blood cancers, such as leukemia, was spurred in part by the death of Ernie Davis, a fellow player in the National Football League who was traded by the Washington Redskins in 1961 in return for Bobby Mitchell, and succumbed to leukemia in 1963; and

 

WHEREAS, Bobby Mitchell is a member of several community organizations, such as the Howard University Cancer Research Advisory Committee, the American Lung Association of the District of Columbia, and the Boys Club of Washington.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Bobby Mitchell Recognition Resolution of 2012”.

 

            Sec. 2.  The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the contributions of Bobby Mitchell to the District of Columbia community.

 

            Sec. 3.  This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.