Dewey Mitchell

Growing up in Florida, Dewey Mitchell was a national age-group judo champion in 1973-74 and Florida state wrestling champion in 1974, but his primary sport was football. Mitchell played linebacker for the University of Alabama under Bear Bryant and then tried out for the Chicago Bears. Mitchell was cut by the Bears in 1978 before ever playing in the NFL and then returned to judo, but also worked as an assistant coach for the Crimson Tide, helping lead them to national titles in 1978 and 1979.

In judo Mitchell won the Senior Nationals in 1979, 1980, and 1983 and was second in 1978, 1981, and 1982. He was second at the Pacific Rim Championships in 1980 and 1983 and fifth at the 1981 World Championships. Mitchell retired from judo competition after the 1984 Olympics and later settled near Tampa as a real estate agent.