Induction time for sweet reflections
NATCHITOCHES -- Of course, they'll remember this.
After all, being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame is a one-time experience.
But for those being honored tonight, the process of getting here contained a treasure trove of memorable moments.
For Brian Mitchell, who exited the NFL as the league's career kickoff- and punt-return yardage leader and played on a Super Bowl-winning team with the Washington Redskins, it was his final game as a quarterback at Southwestern Louisiana (now Louisiana-Lafayette).
The Ragin' Cajuns trailed Arkansas State 28-21 in a 1989 game, and Mitchell had just thrown an interception that seemingly ended his team's chances.
"People started leaving the stands," Mitchell recalled. "It's a hurting feeling when you look up and everybody's trying to get to their cars."
But USL got the ball back, and after completing a fourth-and-10 pass to keep the drive alive, Mitchell faced another do-or-die situation with the Ragin' Cajuns from the Indians' 8.
"Coach (Nelson) Stokley called me over and said we're going to run the quarterback draw," Mitchell said. "I knew if I didn't make it, the game was over -- but somehow I did."
The Ragin' Cajuns then went for the victory, but a two-point conversion pass to Corey Williams was negated by a penalty. Same play, albeit from 5 yards farther back, and this time Williams caught Mitchell's pass with one foot inbounds.
"I'm walking off the field with just my pants on because I'd thrown everything else in the stands," Mitchell said. "What a great way to go out."
Mitchell is one of eight persons being inducted tonight, including two other former NFL players, ex-Saints linebacker Pat Swilling and quarterback Stan Humphries.
Also being inducted are former LSU track standout Esther Jones, prep basketball coach Joel Hawkins, three-sport Tulane star Warren Perkins and two posthumous inductees -- National Baseball Hall of Famer Willard Brown and women's basketball player Kim Perrot.
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Ted Lewis
Time Picayune
tlewis@timespicayune.com
(504) 232-5071.
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