Brian Mitchell

Sport: Football

Induction Year: 2007

University: UL-Lafayette

Induction Year: 2007

A standout quarterback at Plaquemine High School and UL-Lafayette, Brian Mitchell went on to become one of the NFL’s greatest kick returners — setting nine records while playing 14 seasons for the Washington Redskins (1990-99), Philadelphia Eagles (2000-02) and New York Giants (2003). Mitchell, a fifth-round draft pick, helped the Redskins win Super Bowl XXVI. When he retired in 2004, he held NFL career records for total kick return yards (19,013), combined kick returns (1,070), combined kick return touchdowns (13), kickoff return yards (14,014), punt return yards (4,999), kickoff returns (607), punt returns (463) and fair catches (231). He was also the leader in all-purpose yards (23,330) until Jerry Rice (23,546) passed him in 2004. At the age of 34, Mitchell averaged a career-best 27.0 yards on kickoffs and also averaged 12.3 yards on punts. He was a Pro Bowl pick in 1995. At ULL from 1986-89, Mitchell became the first quarterback in NCAA Division I history to pass for 5,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards, finishing with 5,447 and 3,335, respectively, with both setting school marks.