Freddie Mitchell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Freddie Mitchell

Mitchell in 2002
No. 84
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1978-11-28) November 28, 1978 (age 46) Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	184 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school:	Kathleen (Lakeland)
College:	UCLA (1997–2000)
NFL Draft:	2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25
Career history
Philadelphia Eagles (2001–2004) Kansas City Chiefs (2005)*
Career highlights and awards
Consensus All-American (2000) First-team All-Pac-10 (2000)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 90 Receiving yards: 1,263 Receiving touchdowns: 5
Player stats at PFR

Freddie Lee Mitchell II (born November 28, 1978) is a former American football player. He played as a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League (NFL). He was considered one of the best college players in 2000 while at UCLA. The Eagles picked him in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft. He played four seasons with the Eagles, even reaching Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004.

Early Years and Sports Talents

Freddie Mitchell grew up in Lakeland, Florida. He was a talented athlete at Kathleen High School. He played four different sports there. These included cross country, baseball, football, and basketball.

In baseball, he was a good hitter. He was even drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1997. But he chose to go to college instead. In basketball, he helped his team win their first state championship in 1997. He was a key player in that game. In football, he played many roles. He was a wide receiver, kick returner, and punt returner. He was also a defensive back. Mitchell was recognized as a top player in his area.

He visited several big universities for football. These included the University of Florida and Florida State University. But he decided to play for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He liked the opportunities the West Coast offered for his future.

College Football Career at UCLA

Mitchell played college football for the UCLA Bruins from 1997 to 2000. He took a "redshirt" year in 1997. This meant he didn't play games but could practice. It also gave him an extra year of eligibility.

In his first game in 1998, he had a great start. He caught four passes for 108 yards. One catch was a 79-yard touchdown. He also threw a 34-yard touchdown pass! Soon after, he broke his leg. This injury made him miss most of that season. But he made a quick recovery. He even played a few snaps in the 1999 Rose Bowl. In that game, he threw another long touchdown pass.

In 1999, he dealt with a knee injury. Despite this, he had 38 catches for 533 yards. He became a key player for the Bruins. He led the team in receiving yards in several games.

Before the 2000 season, Mitchell was named a top player. He was on the watchlist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award. This award goes to the best wide receiver in college football. In the first game, he threw a touchdown pass. He also caught a 46-yard touchdown. He had many strong performances that season. In one game, he caught 10 passes for 137 yards. In another, he had eight catches for 158 yards. He even caught two touchdowns in one game. One of those was an 80-yard play!

Mitchell was named an All-American after the 2000 season. This means he was recognized as one of the best college players in the country. He also won the Most Valuable Player award for UCLA.

In the 2000 Sun Bowl, he set a record. He caught nine passes for 180 yards. This included a 64-yard touchdown catch. He was named the MVP of the game. He finished his college career with 77 catches for 1,494 yards. He also scored nine touchdowns. After the 2000 season, Mitchell decided to enter the NFL Draft. He chose to leave college early to help his family.

Joining the NFL: Philadelphia Eagles

Mitchell was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft. He was the 25th player chosen overall. He was the fifth wide receiver taken that year. He signed a five-year contract with the Eagles.

Mitchell standing on the sidelines during a preseason game with an Eagles cap on.

In his first season (2001), he started as the fourth wide receiver. He had some trouble learning the team's plays. A hamstring injury also limited him. But he eventually became the team's "slot receiver." This is a wide receiver who plays closer to the middle of the field. In week 14, he caught his first NFL touchdown pass. He finished the season with 21 catches for 283 yards.

In 2002, the Eagles signed another receiver. This made Mitchell the fourth wide receiver again. He mostly played on special teams that year. He only caught 12 passes for 105 yards all season.

For the 2003 season, Mitchell worked hard. He became the slot receiver again. He had a much better year. His most famous play happened in a playoff game. The Eagles were losing to the Green Bay Packers. They faced a "4th and 26" situation. This meant they needed to gain 26 yards on their last chance. Mitchell caught a 28-yard pass from Donovan McNabb. This amazing catch helped the Eagles tie the game. They then won in overtime! He finished 2003 with a career-high 35 catches for 498 yards. He also scored two touchdowns.

Mitchell (second from left) backstage at a country music concert in May 2003 with country singer Neal McCoy (far left) and Eagles teammate Jon Runyan (far right)

In 2004, the Eagles added star receiver Terrell Owens. This meant fewer chances for Mitchell to catch passes. He sometimes showed his frustration. But when Owens got injured, Mitchell stepped up. In a playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, he scored two touchdowns. After the game, he famously said, "I just want to thank my hands for being so great." The Eagles reached the Super Bowl that year. Mitchell caught one pass in the Super Bowl. He was released by the Eagles in May 2005.

Mitchell on the field during a game pointing to signal a first down.

Later Career and Life After Football

After leaving the Eagles, Mitchell signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. But he had a knee injury. He decided not to have surgery right away. Because of this, the Chiefs released him before the season started. He later had the knee surgery.

Mitchell tried out for several other NFL teams. He also tried out for a team in the Canadian Football League. But he did not sign with any of them.

After his football career, Mitchell opened a barbecue restaurant in Lakeland, Florida, in 2008. The restaurant closed in 2009.

Mitchell during one of his Ready For Life charitable appearances

Mitchell has also been involved in charity events. In 2012, he played in a golf event for a college foundation. In 2018, he rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell before a basketball game in Philadelphia. In 2021, his home was flooded by Hurricane Ida.

NFL Career Statistics

Personal Life

Mitchell (right) in 2003

Freddie Mitchell has a cousin, Rod Smart, who also played in the NFL. Mitchell enjoys country music. During his time with the Eagles, he had several nicknames. These included "Fast Freddie," "Sultan of Slot," "First Down Freddie," and "FredEx." People called him "FredEx" because they said he "always delivers" on the field. He was also known as the "People's Champ" and "Hollywood."

Mitchell appeared on a reality TV show called A Dating Story in 2002. He also appeared on The Millionaire Matchmaker in 2011.

Images for kids

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  Mitchell in 2002