Hodges Mitchell

[horn section]

I met him this weekend at the hotel I work at in austin. He was a really cool guy and down to earth person. I let him know how big of a fan I was and thanked him for his time at Texas. He was a little suprised that I remembered him. He said most people just remember Ricky, Cedric, and Jamal. I thought this sucked because he was suck a great back. He said he hasn't been back in a while.

He had gone to the stadium for a tour of all the renovations and had tried to find me at work to see if I wanted to tag along. Unfortunately I was off that day and not in the austin area. I thought this was pretty cool though. Before he left he and his wife found me wanted a picture with me. Also pretty cool.

After this weekend he said he would be back more often because of how everybody treated him, from the hotel to the university. Might not be that cool of a story but it was to me. I just figured I would let everyone know.

 

[Little Earl]

Cool story. I always enjoy hearing about former players.

What is Hodges up to now? He was always a smart kid and a player I always respected. I think he graduated with a business degree, IIRC. I can remember hearing over and over how his Dad and Mack were roommates in college and that's how he wound up at Texas. One of those stories that gets a little old when you hear it over and over, but it is kind of cool that I still remember that about a kid that has been out of school for about 10 years now.

I remember him hurting his knee in the bowl game. Didn't he play some professional soccer after his college days were over, or am I mixing him up with another player?

Speaking of former players, I bumped into former wide receiver Jamal Thompson last weekend. He seemed like a really nice guy, still living in the Austin area.

 

[Horns11]

Not sure how Mack would have impacted where he ended up, because Hodges was part of the 1997 Mackovic crew with Major.

I was good friends with one of his high school girlfriends from Skyline. He was always the nicest guy, even when people would joke about his height.

He really carried the team in that late part of the 2000 season leading up to the A&M game. He had such great games against Tech and KU (both on the road) so the Aggies stacked the box against him, like they did for Ricky a few years back. This led to some pretty easy single coverages for the Big 3 freshmen receivers, and a big day for Simms.

When he hurt his knee in the Holiday Bowl, that was probably the sickest I've ever felt for a Longhorn injury. I knew it was the end of the season, but there's no way Hodges would ever give up on someone else's terms. He might have made a difference down the stretch, although I'm pretty sure there's not much he could have done to help BJ and Roy catch sure TDs.

 

[rickysrun]

Back in 99 he had a huge run early in the 3rd qtr vs NU that turned the momentum of that game.

 

[Horn-N-LA]

I think it was a huge recruiting battle between us and Mack who was at NC for Hodges, as he was fairly highly touted as I recall. Everyone thought he'd go to UNC because of the Mack/Dad connection. Fortunately he didn't and they reunited anyway. Perhaps Mack secretly told him he'd be there the next year anyway.

 

[Texanne]

I remember being down 17 to BlowU and Hodges ripping off a 90+ yard run that started our comeback.

He was always one of my favorites, so I give your story five Horns up:

 

[Crusher X]

Favorite Hodges Mitchell play:

At OkSt 1999: First play of the game from scrimmage - 80 yd TD run.

 

[GHoward]

Loved watching him play. Sadly, a quick check at youtube only shows his injury. I have that OKSt 80yrd TD on a old hard drive somewhere, might have to dig it up.
I thought he had a decent chance in the NFL before the knee, with two 1,000 yard seasons. If guys like Maurice Drew Quinton griffen and Spoles can play, then Hodges could have played.

 

[horn section]

He looked like he was still in game shape. He was short but solid.

 

[rickysrun]

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[Horns11]

That was one awful block attempt by Sloan Thomas on the busted knee play. With everyone clamoring for more I-formation, it's sure nice not to see any plays like that one for the last couple years.

 

[PFD]

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[South Austin]

I think Hodges would be surprised at just how many of us true fans remember him fondly and appreciate the great play he gave us in 1999 and 2000. I don't think we get to 9 wins both seasons without him.

 

[PropositionJoe]

even as an aggie i remember hodges mitchell. i felt sick after watching him go down in that holiday bowl. wasnt he a soccer player too?

what was the name of that duck DB who talked all that ****? there was one guy on that team that was a cocy douche.

 

[majorwhiteapples]

Loved Hodges, one of my favorites!!!!!

 

[ACuriae]

Rashad Bauman is the Oregon jackass that put Hodges out of that game.

The story about his recruitment is that he went to visit UNC when Coach Brown was there and felt it was too far from home (Dallas?), so Coach Brown allegedly told him that the only school close to home he should consider was The University of Texas at Austin.

 

[tsquar]

Thanks for posting your story and update on Hodges. I do hope he knows he's loved and appreciated.

 

[cochamps]

I couldn't believe how small he was when I went to a practice before the Arky Cotton Bowl. Compared to some of those linemen, he was just so tiny - and he looked about 15 years old. I couldn't believe that he has such success. But he was put together pretty well on that small frame. I have a lot of respect for that guy.

 

[centexorange]

Would be cool to get an email address and we could send him a yeah i remember your run against memory.. Mine was the 90 yarder against Blow U as well.. He was the Rodney of that era.. But never ran his mouth. I myself felt he was a bit under utilized for one reason or another.

 

[orangotango]

I too am surprised by that "surprise comment". Sure, he isn't the 1st name to come to mind but he isn't that far down the list either. He definately was one that made a difference and I don't know of anyone that doesn't remember him favorably.

 

[RomaVicta]

I remember Hodges running for tough yards to get us out of the shadow of our goal in a couple of games, too. It's tough to follow a legend, but Hodges always impressed me. Hope he's doing great in life.

 

[Pericles]

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[South Austin]

Gotta love this pic . . . .

 

[ImissWallyPryor]

Whenever I hear the name Hodges Mitchell, I instinctively bend my knee the direction it's supposed to bend.

 

[lkainer]

He was one of my favorites as well. It was great watching him develop his running style. I was sure he would do well in the NFL until the cheap shot against Oregon. I think it hurt me almost as bad as him. Great to hear he is doing well.

 

[orangeblack&gold]

Hook 'em, Hodges. Of course we remember you, Longhorn.

 

[drborange]

HODGES

 

[cloydtex]

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[UTEE]

I too am sorry that he feels forgotten. He was a very good back for us, at a time we desperately needed someone to step up. I've commented many times over the past two years that I'd love to see any one of our running backs play like Hodges did.

Glad to hear he'll be coming around more often.

Hook 'em, Hodges!