Bill Mitchell was born in London England, but came to Canada at age 11 and played football at Western Ontario where he was named the most valuable player in college football in Canada.  Mitchell was drafted in the first round of th ecollege draft by the Toronto Argonauts in 1960, a somewhat controversial decision as some Argo fans had wanted them to pick Lionel Conacher  Jr, the son of Lionel (Big Train) Conacher, the Canadian and Argo legend.  The decision to take Mitchell was made on the scounting of another Argo legend, Teddy Morris.   Mitchell went on to play three seasons (1960-62) for the double blue.  Mitchell was normally listed as a center, but also saw action on defence at middle guard and defensive end early in his career.  In his rookie season, Mitchell even recorded two interceptions.  Mitchell also could do placekicking.  Mitchell had just one convert attempt in his rookie season, but got more of a chance in 1961 when regular placekicker Cookie Gilchrist was hurt, and connect on 10 converts and three of six fieldgoal attempts.  Mitchell took over the regular placekicking duties in 1962, making 87.5% of his converts and 52.6% of his fieldgoals which were good numbers for that era.  Mitchell's 60 points was good enough for seventh in the East that season (1962).

In February, 1963 Mitchell was part of one of the biggest trades in CFL history when the Argos swung a five for one deal to get All-Star Quarterback and future Hall of Famer, Jackie Parker.  The trade might have been the equivalent of the Gretzky trade in hockey as the Argos sent Mitchell, halfbacks Jon Rechner, Mike Wicklum and Joe Hernandez, and gaurd Zeke Smith to the Eskimos for Parker.  Mitchell played three seasons in Edmonton (1963-65), and handled the placekicking duties for his first two years. 1963 in particular was an excellent year for Mitchell as he clicked on 18 of 20 convert attempts for a 90% success rate, and 12 of 16 field goal attempts for a 75% success rate - excellent numbers for the era of non-kicking specialists.  Mitchell had a strong leg as well, kicking a 58 yard field goal in 1964 which at the time was both a CFL and North American record.  In 1965, Mitchell also led the West with the longest field goal of the year, a 48 yard boot.  Mitchell also average over 61 yards per kickoff in both 1964 and 1965.

In May of 1966, Mitchell was traded to the BC Lions in a three way deal that sent flanker and kicker Peter Kemph to Montreal from BC, while Edmonton got Billy Roy from the Als and Steve Coulter from BC.  Mitchell played three seasons in BC (1966-68), and in his first season on the coast in 1966, set a new personal high with 67 points. After 1966, Mitchell didn't do the placekicking as the CFL moved into the start of the kicking specialist era, and hte Lions were using Ted Gerela to do the kicking.  Mitchell retired early in the 1968 season.  Mitchell's younger brother Doug Mitchell, also played in the CFL with Hamilton and Montreal.

Argonauts Pick Bill Mitchell Ahead of Lionel Conacher Jr. In Controersial Move - April 20, 1960

Mitchell Scores 11 Points In Win Over Lions - July 30, 1962

Mitchell Tied for East Scoring Lead - August 20, 1962

Mitchell Traded to Edmonton as part of Jackie Parker Trade - February 16, 1963

Mitchell Sign With Edmonton - February 26, 1963

Mitchell Sets Field Goal Record with 58 yard kick In Edmonton Drubbing By Calgary - August 18, 1964

Mitchell To BC In Trading Triangl - May 29, 1966

Mitchell Climbing Scoring Race - August 19, 1966

Mitchell Retires - August 17, 1968