Malcolm Mitchell grew up in Valdosta, Ga., one of three children in a single-parent family, his mother working three jobs.
“I never learned who my father was,” Mitchell said during a speech Tuesday at the Lincoln High School auditorium. “If he walked in here, I wouldn’t be able to point him out.”
Mitchell thought he had three options in life: be an athlete, an entertainer or criminal. But Mitchell began developing a love of reading his freshman year at the University of Georgia that changed his life’s trajectory.
“College exposed me to so many other ways to accomplish goals,” said Mitchell. “And reading was the core skill necessary to obtain the liberty to go after those different avenues.”
Mitchell logged one season as a wide receiver for the New England Patriots, playing a key role in the Patriots’ 34-28 Super Bowl LI overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit in the game, the largest in Super Bowl history.
But injuries limited Mitchell to that one season. He has made his career mark as an author (he has written five children’s books) and speaker, making about 100 appearances a year.
His message at Lincoln conveyed multiple themes: sports can be a metaphor for life; never ever give up; knowledge is king; be humble and accountable; and Bill Belichick isn’t the easiest coach to play for.
“I appreciate y’all welcoming me here,” Mitchell first said to the audience, displaying his Southern roots. “What do I think about athletics at school? (He was speaking to the Lincoln football program and multiple P.E. classes.)
“I think athletics, regardless of the sport, is all about overcoming adversity and difficult situations.”
Mitchell caught 32 passes for 401 yards and four touchdowns in his lone NFL season.
Asked what it was like erasing a 28-3 third-quarter deficit, Mitchell said, “It kind of represented life. Being down so many points was very simple and reflected a philosophy I live by: You may beat me, but I’m not going to let you beat me. I’m not going to lay down and quit.”
The greatest message he learned from Tom Brady?
“He told me the more you know, the further you go.”
Mitchell said the week before the Super Bowl the Patriots considered replacing him. That week, Brady handed him an index card that read, “My name is Malcolm Mitchell. I catch every pass. I run every route. I’m the best. I can’t be stopped.”
Mitchell caught six passes for 70 yards in the win.
Asked what he thought was the best advice for athletes going to college, Mitchell said, “You have to learn to be accountable. Once you leave high school, nobody’s going to check you in, make sure you’re going to class. Nobody’s going to wake you up. Nobody’s going to make sure you do your homework.”
He said 99 percent of people would never play for Belichick.
“He puts you in situations he knows you’re going to lose just to see how you respond,” said Mitchell. “He puts you in situations where you can’t depend on your athletic ability. You had to use your brain and that made people uncomfortable.”
Mitchell’s Share the Magic Foundation has placed books in the hands of more than 65,000 youths. Since 2021, he has partnered with Cox Communications to promote digital literacy.
Lincoln freshman lineman Blue-Knight Johnson said Mitchell “had real good advice. It was information you can use for life.”
Said running back Junior Curtis: “When he was speaking, I felt how he felt. He explained he did this for his family. His family motivated him to push through everything.”
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