A friend found Mitchell unconscious on the front steps of his home Saturday morning, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette reported. He later died at a hospital. Mitchell played for the Falcons from 1969-79 and was named to the Pro Bowl following the 1969 and 1972 seasons.

He still ranks fourth in Falcons’ history with 305 career receptions and 4,358 yards receiving. He also scored 31 career touchdowns.

The former Shelbyville high school star attended Prairie View A&M in Texas.

After his retirement from the NFL, he coached at Morehouse and Morris Brown colleges in Georgia. He returned to Shelbyville and served as a volunteer assistant coach for its two high school football teams.

In recent years, Mitchell suffered from diabetes, which eventually took his eyesight.