Bobby Mitchell, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983 after playing halfback for the Cleveland Browns and as a flanker with the Washington Redskins, died on April 5, 2020. Mitchell, who was the Redskins’ first African-American player, was 84. A cause of death was not immediately revealed.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame released a statement following his passing: “Bobby Mitchell passed away Sunday afternoon at the age of 84. Mitchell was a dominant player with exceptional speed, balance, and agility. His 11 season in the National Football league were split between the Cleveland Browns (1958-1961) and the Washington Redskins (1962-1968) as a flanker. Mitchell was named All-NFL three times and played in four Pro Bowls.”

The statement also said the Hall of Fame flag will fly at half-mast in his honor. During his career, Mitchell amassed 14,078 combined net yards, scored 91 touchdowns, caught 521 passes and had eight kick returns for touchdowns.

So sad! RIP Bobby Mitchell thoughts and prayers to your family https://t.co/coHtgqsoEZ — Christie Lopez (@skinshuly) April 6, 2020

David Baker, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said, “The Entire Pro Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Bobby Mitchell. The Game lost a true legend today. Bobby was an incredible player, a talented executive, and a real gentleman to everyone with whom he worked or competed against. His wife Gwen, and their entire family remain in our thoughts and prayers.”

We saddened to report that Pro Football Hall of Famer and Cleveland #Browns half back Bobby Mitchell passed away at the age of 84#NFL | #DawgCheck | #3ptcnvrsn pic.twitter.com/TYi3StZEyr — The 3 Point Conversion (@3ptCnvrsn) April 6, 2020

Mitchell, who was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on June 6, 1935, was living with his wife Gwen in Washington, D.C., at the time of his death. He is survived by Gwen and their two children, Robert Junior and Terry.

Mitchell Was the First African-American Player to Sign With the Washington Redskins

jim brown BOBBY MITCHELL : SO GREAT HE MADE SUPERMAN (aka Jim Brown) Sweat! part IBobby Mitchell played running back with Jim Brown for 4 years with the Cleveland Browns. He was so good Brown did everything he could to keep him down. In Bobby's rookie year he was outdoing Jim Brown's rookie performance so Coach Paul Brown benched him the last 5 games of the season to keep prima… 2018-10-25T12:31:08.000Z

Mitchell broke barriers when Paul Brown traded him to Washington, where he played for the Redskins beginning in 1962. He became the franchise’s first African American on the team’s roster.

Very sad to hear about the passing of Redskins legend Bobby Mitchell today. Great man. RIP Bobby! #HTTR pic.twitter.com/7jDE2IJnaJ — Ed Sheahin (@NFLPhotoGuy) April 6, 2020

NBC Washington reporter Julie Donaldson wrote on Twitter after his passing, “At times it is hard to imagine another’s struggle. The courage their life demanded. Honored to have met Bobby Mitchell many times. We can all learn from his journey.”

Statement from owner Dan Snyder on the passing of Redskins Ring of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell pic.twitter.com/xiPUuTxs9t — Washington Redskins (@Redskins) April 6, 2020

After retiring from the NFL in 1968, Mitchell stayed with the Washington Redskins in a front-office role. Under head coach Vince Lombardi, he was the team’s pro scout and eventually became the Redskins’ assistant general manager until 2003.

So very very sad to hear of the passing of Bobby Mitchell, one of the great players ever, one of the great football minds ever and one tremendous man. — Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) April 6, 2020

NFL Network’s Charley Casserly tweeted, “So sorry to hear of the passing former

@Redskins Bobby Mitchell. I worked with Bobby for 23 years. He was a friend and mentor. What I remember most was his guidance and support when I was an Intern. He was a Hall of Famer on the field and off!”

In High School, Bobby Mitchell Was Offered a Baseball Contract by the St. Louis Cardinals

RIP Bobby Mitchell. Passes away at 83. No details announced pic.twitter.com/Dtip9TLa5t — ??? ???????? ???????? (@NFL_Journal) April 6, 2020

While a student at Langston High School, Mitchell ran track in the spring but also played baseball, a sport at which he excelled. In fact, Mitchell was so good at baseball, he was given a contract to play with the St. Louis Cardinals, which he turned down to play football at the University of Illinois.

While playing for the Fighting Illini, Mitchell was also a decorated runner on the college’s track team and debated whether or not he wanted to train for the 1960 Olympics. However, in 1958, he was selected in the 7th round of the NFL draft by the Browns.

READ NEXT: Dierks Bentley’s Houses: Where He, His Wife & Kids Call Home