The Washington Redskins will retire No. 49 to honor running back Bobby Mitchell, the team’s first black player, who died earlier this year — making him just the second Redskin to have his jersey retired in the team’s 88-year history.
The Redskins announced the move Saturday, a day after city officials removed the statue of Redskins founding owner George Preston Marshall outside of RFK Stadium. Marshall, who died in 1969, was the last NFL owner to integrate his team, not doing so until 1962.
The team will also rename the lower bowl of FedEx Field in honor of Mitchell, which was previously named after Marshall.