After a successful 14-year career in the NFL, All-Star kick returner and running back Brian Mitchell is eager to give back to America's favorite sport from the grassroots level on up. USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, announced today that Mitchell has joined the independent non-profit's 18-member Board of Directors.
USA Football conducts more than 100 football events annually offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league administrators.
"I'm excited to be part of USA Football's Board of Directors," Mitchell said. "I played this game for more than half of my life. I know how it opens doors for young people - it engenders friendships and opportunities. Football's values and lessons are just as much a part of this sport as blocking and tackling. I'm proud to give of myself for football's betterment and for the kids who love to play it."
Mitchell played for the Washington Redskins for most of his career (1990-99), but he also had stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2000-02) and the New York Giants (2003). Now as USA Football's newest board member, Mitchell will help steer programs to foster positive football experiences at the sport's grassroots level. Raised in Plaquemine, La., 15 miles south of Baton Rouge, Mitchell made his way back to Washington, D.C., and today serves the Washington Redskins Radio Network as an on-air personality.
Mitchell, a member of the 1996 NFC All-Star Team, holds NFL records for career kickoff and punt return yards. Throughout his tenure as a professional, he amassed 14,014 kickoff and 4,999 punt return yards, respectively. Mitchell also tops the list for another NFL record with 13 career touchdowns on returns, with nine coming on punts and four on kickoffs. Mitchell was also part of the 1991 Redskins, which bested the Buffalo Bills 37-24 in Super Bowl XXVI.
"We're proud to have Brian join our board of directors," said USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck. "As a player, he contributed to his teams in so many ways. He was a returner, a ball carrier, a receiver out of the backfield and even a passer on occasion. Just as he played, Brian's knowledge and love of the sport will make him a multi-faceted contributor to USA Football."
USA Football's Board of Directors:
- Ray Anderson, National Football League
- Jason Belser, NFL Players Association
- Richard Berthelsen, NFL Players Association
- Joe Browne, National Football League
- Jon Butler, Pop Warner Little Scholars
- Tom Cove, Sporting Goods Manufacturers Assoc.
- Carl Francis, NFL Players Association
- Bob Gardner, National Federation of State H.S. Assns.
- Alexia Gallagher, National Football League
- Roger Goodell, National Football League
- Scott Hallenbeck, USA Football Executive Director
- Jack Kemp, USA Football Chairman
- Mark Meana, Fairfax County (Va.) Youth Football League
- Brian Mitchell, Washington Redskins Radio Network
- Keith Rucker, Cincinnati Mt. Healthy High School
- Frank Sanchez, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Grant Teaff, American Football Coaches Association
- Deborah A. Yow, University of Maryland
