The Washington Redskins announced this morning that they have retired the jersey number(#49) for Bobby Mitchell. He becomes only the second player in franchise history to have their jersey number retired after Sammy Baugh(#33). Mitchell was the first black player for the Redskins. They were the last NFL team to integrate, and team owner George Preston Marshall only did so after threats from the US government to take away the use of District of Columbia Stadium(RFK Stadium) for games. The Redskins will also be changing the honorary name of the lower level of FedEx Field seating from George Preston Marshall to Bobby Mitchell.
Redskins officially retire Bobby Mitchell’s jersey, rename the George Preston Marshall section of FedEx Field after him
