Malcolm Mitchell
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{for|the British jazz guitarist of the 1950s|Malcolm Mitchell (musician)}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Malcolm Mitchell
| image = Malcolm Mitchell (3216459) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Mitchell at Moody Air Force Base in 2017
| current_team =
| number = 19
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|7|20}}
| birth_place = Valdosta, Georgia, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 200
| high_school = Valdosta
| college = Georgia
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 112
| pastteams =
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 32
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 401
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 4
| pfr = MitcMa01
}}
Malcolm Jarod Mitchell (born July 20, 1993) is an American author, poet, and former professional football player. He played as a wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL).
Mitchell played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was selected by New England in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He won an NFL title with the Patriots, winning Super Bowl LI. His NFL career lasted only two years due to knee injuries.
College career
A graduate of Valdosta High School in Valdosta, Georgia, Mitchell played at the University of Georgia from 2011 to 2015 under head coach Mark Richt.{{Cite web |title=GEORGIADOGS.COM - Malcolm Mitchell Bio - University of Georgia Official Athletic Site |url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/malcolm_mitchell_742379.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630060618/http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/malcolm_mitchell_742379.html |archive-date=June 30, 2017 |access-date=May 4, 2016 |website=www.georgiadogs.com}}
In 2011, as a true freshman, Mitchell was a Freshman All-Southeastern Conference (SEC). On October 8, against Tennessee, he recorded a season-high 126 receiving yards in the 20–12 victory.{{Cite web |title=Georgia at Tennessee Box Score, October 8, 2011 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2011-10-08-tennessee.html |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He caught 45 receptions for 665 yards (14.8 average) with a long of 71 yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Mitchell 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/malcolm-mitchell-2/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Mitchell missed three games with a hamstring injury, but still finished fourth in the SEC in receiving yards per game.{{Cite web |title=GEORGIADOGS.COM - Malcolm Mitchell Bio - University of Georgia Official Athletic Site |url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/malcolm_mitchell_742379.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630060618/http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/malcolm_mitchell_742379.html |archive-date=June 30, 2017 |access-date=February 14, 2017 |website=www.georgiadogs.com}}
In 2012, during his sophomore season at Georgia, he played in 13 games making nine starts, and was second on the team with 572 receiving yards on 40 catches and played on defense through the fourth game of the season.{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Mitchell 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/malcolm-mitchell-2/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On October 20, against Kentucky, he recorded 103 receiving yards in the 29–24 victory.{{Cite web |title=Georgia at Kentucky Box Score, October 20, 2012 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2012-10-20-kentucky.html |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Mitchell was the recipient of the Charley Trippi Most Versatile Player award. Mitchell practiced at cornerback and spent time there throughout spring practice as well.
In 2013, Mitchell redshirted after tearing his ACL in Georgia’s first game of the season against Clemson. After Todd Gurley’s 75 yard touchdown run in the first quarter, Mitchell ran to the end zone to celebrate with Gurley but came up awkwardly, causing the knee injury.{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Mitchell Injures ACL |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/9625483/malcolm-mitchell-georgia-bulldogs-hurts-acl-celebrating-teammate-td |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=ESPN.com|date=September 2013 }}
In 2014, Mitchell played in 8 games, making only 3 starts and caught 31 passes for 248 yards; he won the team's Comeback Player of the Year award.{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Mitchell 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/malcolm-mitchell-2/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
In 2015, as a redshirt senior, Mitchell started all 13 games and was named an offensive captain. Mitchell caught 58 receptions for 865 yards (14.9 average).{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Mitchell 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/malcolm-mitchell-2/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On September 19, against South Carolina, he recorded 122 receiving yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=South Carolina at Georgia Box Score, September 19, 2015 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2015-09-19-georgia.html |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the final game of his collegiate career, in the TaxSlayer Bowl against Penn State, he recorded 114 receiving yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=TaxSlayer Bowl - Penn State vs Georgia Box Score, January 2, 2016 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-01-02-georgia.html |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Off the field, Mitchell earned the David Jacobs Award, given annually to the player who best portrays courage, spirit, character and determination; the Haier Achievement Award, the SEC Community Service Team, and the 2016 Community Spirit Award.{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Mitchell Georgia Bio |url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/malcolm_mitchell_742379.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630060618/http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/malcolm_mitchell_742379.html |archive-date=June 30, 2017 |access-date=August 17, 2016 |website=Georgia Dogs Football Bio}} When he graduated, he ranked third in school history with 174 receptions for 2,350 yards and 16 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Mitchell |url=http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/malcolm-mitchell |access-date=May 4, 2016 |website=New England Patriots}}
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11 5/8
| weight = 198
| dash = 4.45
| ten split = 1.43
| twenty split = 2.57
| shuttle = 4.34
| cone drill = 6.94
| vertical = 36.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 9
| bench = 15
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 32 5/8
| hand span = 10 1/2
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/malcolm-mitchell/32004d49-5450-2824-c23f-954590c3c61c |title=Malcolm Mitchell Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=July 31, 2016}}{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=119322&DraftYear=2016 |title=Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia, WR, 2016 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=January 23, 2022}}
}}
=2016=
Mitchell was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was the 11th wide receiver selected.{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=April 30, 2016 |title=Patriots hope to buck struggles developing WRs, pick Malcolm Mitchell |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4792569/patriots-hope-to-buck-struggles-developing-wrs-by-picking-georgias-malcolm-mitchell |access-date=April 30, 2016 |website=ESPN}}
{{external media
| video1 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000658534/Patriots-grab-a-new-target-for-Brady-in-Malcolm-Mitchell Patriots select Mitchell 112th overall]
}}
On May 5, 2016, the New England Patriots signed him to a four-year, $2.91 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $577,992.{{Cite web |title=Sportrac.com:Malcolm Mitchell contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/malcolm-mitchell-19066/ |access-date=November 23, 2016 |website=Sportrac.com}}
Head coach Bill Belichick named Mitchell the starting wide receiver, alongside veteran Julian Edelman.
Mitchell made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Patriots' season-opener against the Arizona Cardinals and caught two passes for 33 yards from Jimmy Garoppolo.{{Cite web |title=NFL Player Profile:Malcolm Mitchell |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/malcolmmitchell/2555216/profile |access-date=November 22, 2016 |work=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals - September 11th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609110crd.htm |access-date=December 25, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On November 20, 2016, Mitchell caught his first career touchdown reception from Tom Brady, a 56-yard score in a victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He finished the game with four catches for 98 yards, and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Patriots vs. 49ers - Game Recap - November 20, 2016 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=400874700 |access-date=November 21, 2016 |website=ESPN.com}} A week later, at the New York Jets, Mitchell had his first two-touchdown game, catching five passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns. On December 4, 2016, Mitchell caught a season-high eight passes for 82 yards in a 26–10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Mitchell finished his rookie season with 32 receptions for 401 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games and six starts.{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Mitchell: Career Stats at NFL.com |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/malcolmmitchell/2555216/careerstats |website=NFL.com}}
On February 5, 2017, Mitchell was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, he caught six passes for 70 yards as the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime. He caught all five targets from Brady in the pivotal fourth quarter, and converted four of those five receptions into first downs.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm |access-date=September 2, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}{{Cite web |last=Wesseling |first=Chris |title=New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-erase-deficit-defeat-falcons-in-super-bowl-li-0ap3000000783692 |access-date=February 5, 2017 |publisher=NFL}}
=2017=
On September 7, 2017, Mitchell was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2017 |title=Patriots place WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee) on IR |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-place-wr-malcolm-mitchell-knee-on-ir-0ap3000000840240 |website=NFL.com}} With Mitchell not playing the whole season, the Patriots reached Super Bowl LII, but lost 41–33 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
=2018=
Throughout the offseason, Mitchell continued to struggle with his troublesome injured knee, ultimately undergoing a procedure in July. On August 6, 2018, Mitchell was waived by the Patriots.{{Cite web |last=Patra, Kevin |date=August 7, 2018 |title=Patriots release wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000945255/article/patriots-to-release-wr-malcolm-mitchell |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808073342/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000945255/article/patriots-to-release-wr-malcolm-mitchell |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}
On March 23, 2019, Mitchell announced his retirement, citing continued knee issues.{{Cite web |last=Smith, Michael David |date=March 23, 2019 |title=Former Patriots receiver Malcolm Mitchell retires |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/03/23/former-patriots-receiver-malcolm-mitchell-retires/ |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports}}
Writing career
Mitchell was not a strong reader when he began college, then reading only at a middle school level, but grew to love reading; even joining a women's reading club and promoting literacy among youth. He is more proud of his reading accomplishments than of making (and later winning) the Super Bowl.{{Cite web |last=Dodd |first=Dennis |date=July 16, 2015 |title=Georgia WR Malcolm Mitchell proves reading is fundamental, impactful |url=http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/georgia-wr-malcolm-mitchell-proves-reading-is-fundamental-impactful/ |access-date=February 6, 2017 |work=CBS Sports}}{{Cite web |last=Hartman |first=Steve |date=February 3, 2017 |title=Patriots wide receiver's proudest achievement isn't making the Super Bowl |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/super-bowl-2017-malcolm-mitchell-patriots-wide-receivers-proudest-achievement-isnt-making-the-super-bowl/ |access-date=February 6, 2017 |work=CBS Sports}}
In 2016, Mitchell released his first book, The Magician's Hat. This children's picture book features David, the Magician, who loves to perform magic. David knows the magical power of books, which can explore dreams and develop creativity.{{Cite web |title=The Magician's Hat |url=http://www.readwithmalcolm.com/themagicianshat/ |access-date=May 4, 2016 |website=Read With Malcolm}}
After he ended his career in the NFL in 2019, he started reading to children with children's books, which include some of his own.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
{{footballstats|espn=2578553}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170630060618/http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/malcolm_mitchell_742379.html Georgia Bulldogs bio]
- [http://www.readwithmalcolm.com/ Read with Malcolm]
- [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-path-to-the-draft/0ap3000000659506/Malcolm-Mitchell-The-Right-Read Video] NFL Network - Malcolm Mitchell: The Right Read
{{Patriots2016DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl LI}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, Malcolm}}
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Georgia Bulldogs football players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:Players of American football from Valdosta, Georgia