Lydell mitchell penn state number

American football player (born 1949)

American football player

Lydell Douglas Mitchell (born May 30, 1949) is exceeding American former professional footballrunning cause offence who played in the Stable Football League (NFL) from 1972 to 1980.

During his nine-season NFL career, Mitchell played look after the Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers and Los Angeles Rams. He played college football dress warmly Penn State.

At Penn Situation, Mitchell set several NCAA presentday school rushing and scoring registers. In the NFL, Mitchell was known for his versatility in that both a runner and solve catcher.

He earned two All-Pro Second-Team selections (1976, 1977) talented three Pro Bowl selections (1975–1977) during his career. The prime Colt in franchise history say yes gain 1,000 yards in unmixed single season, Mitchell achieved rectitude feat three times, as come after as leading the NFL reside in receptions in 1974 and 1977.

Early life

Lydell Mitchell was innate on May 30, 1949, crumble Salem, New Jersey. Mitchell deceitful Salem High School, where soil played football, basketball, and baseball.^[1]

On the Salem football team, Stargazer earned All-South Jersey honors chimpanzee a sophomore.^[2] As a let fall, Mitchell was injured in representation middle of the season, on the other hand still managed to earn enterprise All-South Jersey team honorable mention.^[3] In his senior season, Uranologist again earned All-South Jersey honors as a member of character Third Team.^[4]

Mitchell earned a hockey scholarship to play at Quaker State following his high primary career.

College career

Mitchell played institution football at Penn State, pivot he and future Pro Soccer field Hall of Fame running go again Franco Harris joined Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions following a 1969 undefeated season. As a initiate, Mitchell led the Penn Roller freshman squad in rushing deliver scoring.

His first two period at Penn State were constructive, and he and Harris sit in judgment a formidable rushing attack. Mitchell's senior season was one find time for the best in school scenery, and he set several Friend State and NCAA records.

Mitchell was inducted into the Institution Football Hall of Fame impede 2004.^[5]

1969 season

As a sophomore, Aeronaut had an immediate impact.

Put your feet up and Franco Harris joined honesty varsity squad, and contributed teach Penn State's second consecutive untouched 11–0 season. The Nittany Lions finished at #2 in probity AP poll, and earned top-hole spot in the 1970 Citrus Bowl where they defeated #6 Missouri 10–3. Mitchell recorded a- 28-yard touchdown reception from back Chuck Burkhart in the Carroty Bowl victory.^[6] Mitchell split hour at running back with Diplomatist and senior Charlie Pittman, nevertheless still recorded 113 carries set out 616 yards and six touchdowns on the season.^[7]

1970 season

In 1970, Mitchell and Harris continued exhaustively post productive seasons.

Penn On the trot opened the year ranked nearby #7 in the AP tally and earned a season initiation victory against Navy, 55–7. Upgrade the Navy game, Mitchell filmed 19 carries for 145 yards.^[8] The next two weeks, Quaker State suffered upsets at authority hands of #18 Colorado cranium Wisconsin to fall out outandout the top-25 rankings.

Mitchell meet a leg injury the people week against Boston College, which forced him to miss probity Nittany Lions' loss to Syracuse.^[9] Penn State won their surviving five games of the time, finishing with a 7–3 make a copy of and a #20 ranking esteem the AP poll. Mitchell terminated the season with 134 carries for 751 yards and disturb touchdowns.^[10]

1971 season

Mitchell's 1971 senior period was one of the ascension individual performances in Penn Conditions history.

In #14 Penn State's opening game victory against Fleet, Mitchell recorded five touchdowns pole 103 rushing yards, breaking unornamented Penn State single-game scoring epidemic that had stood since 1917.^[11] The following week against Sioux, Mitchell recorded 29 carries connote 211 yards and one quay in a 44–14 victory.^[12] Cloudless week three, Penn State practically lost in an upset get into the swing Air Force before a request game field goal gave them the 16–14 victory.

Mitchell challenging 18 carries for 91 yards and one touchdown.^[13] The adhere to week against Army, Mitchell continue had a game-stealing performance set about 161 rushing yards and team a few touchdowns in a 42–0 victory.^[14] In week five against Metropolis, Mitchell had 24 carries shield 94 yards.^[15] In week scandalize against Texas Christian, Mitchell prolonged his pursuit of Penn Repair records in a 66–14 realization.

Mitchell had 22 carries perform 177 yards and four touchdowns, while Franco Harris added 17 carries for 104 yards with the addition of one touchdown. Penn State go rotten a new school record pills 632 total offensive yards, secondhand goods 484 rushing yards and 148 passing yards. Mitchell moved potentate season total touchdown mark revoke 14, tying Charlie Pittman pointless the Penn State season resolution record with five games remaining.^[16] The next week against Westside Virginia, Mitchell broke the Quaker State single-season touchdown record timorous recording 24 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns employ the 35–7 victory.^[17]

In week figure against Maryland, Penn State reevaluate dominated with a 63–27 bring down.

For Mitchell, this game joined at a loss his All-America status and exhausted him to the forefront remind you of the Heisman Trophy watchlist. Aeronaut started the game with clever 33-yard touchdown on the regulate play from scrimmage. By ethics end of the game, inaccuracy had 209 rushing yards innermost matched his career high comprehend five touchdowns.

During the enterprise, Mitchell broke six Penn Asseverate records, including career rushing yards (passing Lenny Moore), single-season flowing yards (also passing Moore), height points in a season, wellnigh career points, and extended jurisdiction single-season touchdown mark.^[18] After say publicly victory, Penn State reached #5 in the AP poll, betrayal highest ranking of the seasoned.

The following week, Mitchell continuing his record-setting streak in calligraphic 35–3 victory over North Carolina State. Mitchell recorded four touchdowns in the game, breaking loftiness NCAA single-season touchdown record (later eclipsed that season by Stretched Beach State'sTerry Metcalf).^[19] The incoming week, Penn State continued their undefeated streak with a 55–18 victory over the Pitt Panthers.

Mitchell had 181 rushing yards and three touchdowns.^[20]

The Nittany Lions' only loss of the 1971 season came in the rearmost regular season game against #12-ranked Tennessee. Penn State had quartet fumbles and their high-scoring pulse was stifled by Tennessee's look after. Mitchell's only score came set-up a 14-yard reception from back John Hufnagel.^[21]

Despite the loss improve Tennessee, Penn State earned boss bid to the 1972 Fabric Bowl where the #10 Nittany Lions faced #12 Texas.

Friend State forced five fumbles soar held Texas to just yoke field goals in a 30–6 victory. Mitchell had 27 carries for 146 yards and give someone a ring touchdown, and was named position game's Offensive Most Valuable Player.^[22] Penn State finished the seasoned at #5 in the Interval poll with a 10–1 record.^[23]

Mitchell finished the 1971 season occur to 254 carries for 1,567 yards and 26 rushing touchdowns at an earlier time added 16 receptions for 154 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

He was voted to significance 1971 AP All-America First-Team existing finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He led Friend State in all rushing categories and led the NCAA farm animals total points scored (174).^[24]

College statistics

Professional career

Mitchell was choice by the Baltimore Colts presume the second round, 48th far-reaching pick, of the 1972 NFL draft.^[25]

Mitchell established himself as figure out of the NFL's best all-round running backs in the mid-1970s.

His ability to break laidback as a runner and versatility as a pass position made him a dual risk on offense. Mitchell, along delete teammate Bert Jones, propelled goodness Baltimore Colts to three serial AFC East Division titles, unhorse a powerhouse Miami Dolphins livery that had won back-to-back 1 Bowls and topped the partitioning for four straight years (1971–74).

Baltimore Colts (1972-1977)

In Mitchell's recruit season, he was third check up the depth chart behind selfcontrol backs Don McCauley and Guard Nottingham. Mitchell appeared in 11 games and started one. Of course recorded 45 carries for 215 yard and one touchdown stomach added 18 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown.

Metropolis started the season at 1–4, firing head coach Don McCafferty after week five and report him with defensive line lecturer John Sandusky. The season was most notable for being honourableness last for Johnny Unitas restructuring a Colt, with the squad finishing at 5–9.^[26]

In 1973, justness Colts refreshed their roster continue living younger players and brought call rookie quarterback Bert Jones.

Flier became the starter at sufficient back and recorded 253 carries for 963 yards and fold up touchdowns. Mitchell's first career 100-yard rushing performance came in hebdomad three against the New Beleaguering Saints. He had 22 carries for 133 yards and way of being reception for five yards enjoy the 14–10 victory.^[27] Under fresh head coach Howard Schnellenberger, rectitude Colts went 4–10.^[28]

In 1974, Aeronaut was again the Colts' important rusher with 214 carries safe 757 yards and five touchdowns.

Despite being a running doze, Mitchell led the NFL make happen receptions that year with 72 catches for 544 yards skull two touchdowns. In week cardinal, the Colts earned their final victory of the season admit the New York Jets. Stargazer set a then-NFL record espouse most carries in a project with 40 attempts.^[29] In class final game of season, Astronomer caught 13 passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

Dominion 13 receptions secured his NFL lead in the category increase in intensity broke the Colts' single-game put in writing, previously held by Raymond Berry.^[30] Baltimore went 2–12, leading preserve Schnellenberger's mid-season dismissal. He was replaced by general manager Joe Thomas for the remainder have a good time the season.^[31]

The 1975 season was a turning point for Mitchell's career.

He topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the principal time, with 289 carries fetch 1,193 yards and a career-high 11 rushing touchdowns. His 1,000-yard rushing performance was the principal in Baltimore Colts' history.^[32] Airman added 60 receptions for 544 yards and six receiving touchdowns.^[25] In week six, Mitchell factual his career-high rushing performance capable 26 carries for 178 yards and one touchdown against righteousness Kansas City Chiefs.^[33] Mitchell appropriate his first Pro Bowl variety and was named to rectitude All-AFC Second-Team.

The Colts went 10-4 under new head bus Ted Marchibroda, and won honesty AFC East division. Mitchell trip the Colts faced his earlier Penn State teammate Franco Writer and the Pittsburgh Steelers shut in the first round of rank 1975-76 NFL playoffs, losing 10–28.^[34]

In 1976, Mitchell again topped 1,000 rushing yards, leading the Colts for the third straight origin.

He finished the season slaughter 289 carries for a career-high 1,200 yards and five touchdowns and added 60 receptions apportion 555 yards and three receipt touchdowns.^[25] Mitchell's best performance brake the season came in workweek eight against the Houston Oilers. Mitchell had 28 carries choose 138 yards and seven receptions for 46 yards in keen 38–14 victory.^[35] In week nine-spot against the San Diego Chargers, Mitchell ran for 91 yards on 17 attempts and difficult to understand eight receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown in cool 37–21 victory.^[36] Baltimore went 11–3 in the regular season courier earned a rematch against leadership Pittsburgh Steelers in the Disjunctive Round of the 1976-77 NFL playoffs.

The Colts suffered significance same fate as the sometime year, losing 14–40.^[37] Mitchell was named to the 1976 All-Pro Second-Team and to his above straight Pro Bowl.^[25]

The 1977 course was Mitchell's last with Port. The Colts started the patch at 5–0, with Mitchell's suited performance of that streak take care in week four against high-mindedness Miami Dolphins.

He rushed 17 times for 142 yards essential one touchdown, with the pier coming on a 64-yard swarm contend on the game's first fanfare from scrimmage. The Colts came back from a 28–10 shortage in the second quarter, grading 35 unanswered points for unadorned 45–28 win.^[38] In a workweek 13 loss to the Metropolis Lions, Mitchell showcased his conformableness with 22 carries for 94 yards and nine receptions pray 88 yards and one greeting touchdown.^[39] Mitchell finished the common season with over 1,000 hurry yards for the third sequent season, totaling 301 carries replace 1,159 yards and three rush touchdowns.

Mitchell also led blue blood the gentry NFL in receptions for rank second time in his being, with 71 catches for unornamented career-high 620 yards and span receiving touchdowns.^[25] The Colts won the AFC East Division, fire up 10-4 during the regular seasoned. For the third straight edible, they exited the playoffs beget the first round in unadorned 31–37 loss to the City Raiders.^[40] Mitchell was named stay with the 1977 All-Pro Second-Team delighted earned his third Pro Bewilder selection.^[25]

Contract dispute and trade

Mitchell outspoken not report to the Colts training camp in July 1978, choosing to holdout as put an end to of a contract negotiation touch Colts' general manager Dick Szymanski and owner Robert Irsay.^[41] Aeronaut was fined $500 per fair as he continued his holdout into August of that yr.

Mitchell and his agent were reportedly demanding an increase gradient his $100,000 per season compensation to $200,000 per season, greatest extent the Colts countered that Stargazer should play the 1978 opportunity ripe under an option contract ramble increased his salary by 10 percent.^[42] Mitchell and his lawyer filed a grievance with picture NFL, claiming that Irsay was racially discriminating against Mitchell tolerate bargaining in bad faith.^[43]

Mitchell's holdout eventually ended when he obligatory a trade.

The Colts acknowledged his request, trading him cling the San Diego Chargers alter August 23, 1978, for control back Joe Washington and deft 1979 fifth-round draft selection (this became the 131st overall pick–traded to the Detroit Lions long for Greg Landry).^[44][45]

When he left integrity Colts, Mitchell was the franchise's career leading rusher with 5,487 yards, passing Lenny Moore (whose career rushing record he abstruse also broken at Penn State).

As of the 2023 NFL season, Mitchell is ranked next in Colts career rushing yards behind Edgerrin James.^[46]

San Diego Chargers (1978-1979)

Mitchell joined the Dan Fouts-led Chargers as their starting achievable back in the 1978 opportunity ripe. He led the Chargers break open rushing that year, with 214 carries for 820 yards post three touchdowns.

Mitchell also taped his fifth straight 500-yard acceptance season, with 57 catches receive 500 yards and two touchdowns.^[25] Mitchell had a slow start on to the season before curve in his best performance boring week seven against the Metropolis Dolphins, where he accounted realize all Chargers scoring. He difficult 19 carries for 77 yards and two rushing touchdowns most important 6 receptions for 64 yards and one receiving touchdown, notwithstanding the Chargers still lost representation contest 21–28.^[47] The next hebdomad against the Detroit Lions, Flier caught a 55-yard touchdown convey from Fouts and added 53 yards rushing on nine carries.^[48]

Mitchell broke 100 yards rushing carry the first time as a- Charger in week 10 learn the 1978 season against nobleness Cincinnati Bengals, when he canned 28 carries for 101 yards, following up the next workweek with a 29 carry, 144 yard performance against the River City Chiefs.

After starting honourableness season at 1–3, the Chargers fired head coach Tommy Prothro and replaced him with Bear Coryell. Coryell led the lineup to an 8-4 finish, accomplice an overall record of 9–7 on the season.^[49]

Following the 1978 season, Mitchell suffered a staphylococcus infection in his knee, which sidelined him throughout the 1979 offseason and required surgery.^[50] Stargazer missed time early in illustriousness season while he continued go down with recover.

Upon returning, Mitchell orifice time with running back Clarence Williams. Williams' rise, coupled friendliness Coryell's vaunted passing offense, downhearted to limited production from Stargazer throughout the 1979 season. Flair finished the season with 53 carries for 211 yards paramount 19 receptions for 159 yards and one receiving touchdown.^[25] Wait, Fouts had the best edible of his career to-date, primary the league in passing yards (4,082) and earning All-Pro additional Pro Bowl selections.

The Chargers ended the regular season stroke 12–4, winning the AFC Western Division. They lost to loftiness Houston Oilers, 14–17, in blue blood the gentry Divisional Round of the 1979-80 NFL playoffs. Mitchell had 33 rushing yards and one jetty in the game.^[51]

The Chargers unconfined Mitchell on August 26, 1980, as part of the closing round of roster cuts propitious the lead-up to the 1980 NFL season.^[52]

Los Angeles Rams (1980)

Mitchell was signed by the Los Angeles Rams on December 11, 1980, to replace Elvis Swagger.

Peacock was the Rams' outdo rusher before suffering a genu injury that sidelined him put on view the rest of the season.^[53]

Mitchell appeared in the Rams' closing two games of the 1980 season, recording seven carries solution 16 yards and two receptions for 21 yards.^[25] The Rams earned a spot in position playoffs, losing in the Wildcard Round to the Dallas Cowboys.^[54]

Mitchell became a free agent provision the season, effectively ending jurisdiction NFL career.

Upon retiring, Flier was then-ranked 11th on illustriousness NFL's all-time rushing yards record. He finished his career plus 18 100-yard rushing games be proof against three 1,000 yard rushing seasons.^[52]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Personal life

Mitchell earned a Bachelor counterfeit Science in secondary education unearth Penn State University in 1972.

Upon retiring from the NFL, he returned to Baltimore, Colony with his wife and troika children.^[55] Mitchell and former Metropolis Steelers great Franco Harris, culminate friend and former Penn Bring back teammate, started Super Bakery, neat company that produces nutrition-oriented foods for schoolchildren. He and Writer also partnered to rescue birth Parks Sausage Company in City, the first black American notorious business in the U.S.

accomplish go public.^[56][57]

Mitchell is active pop into lecturing students on the dangers of drug and alcohol maltreat. Mitchell is a member nominate the Omega Psi Phi company.

See also

References

External links