Former Sun Devil football star Gene Mitcham passes away at 76

The Arizona State family passes along its thoughts and sympathy to the family of former football star Gene Mitcham, 76, who passed away on Monday, October 27.

Mitcham played at ASU from 1951-1952 and 1955-1956. He led the team in receiving yards in each of his last two seasons, with 27 catches for 552 yards and a touchdown in 1955 and 14 receptions for 256 yards and two touchdowns in 1956.

He was named All-Border Conference in 1955 and 1956, and he was the conference MVP in 1956.

Mitcham was an Arizona native who was a four-sport (baseball, basketball, football and track) letterman and All-American at Phoenix North High School. He also went on to play one season in the NFL, as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958.

Services will be held Thursday from 3-5 p.m. at the Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home on Indian School Road and 48th Street in Phoenix. That will be followed by a Celebration of Life at his daughter Loretta Brown's home at 6011 N. Saguaro Road in Paradise Valley. Fliers with directions will be handed out after services on Thursday.