Scott Mitchell: The Weight of Expectations

Scott Mitchell: The Weight of Expectations

Mitchell took over for an injured Dan Marino in 1993 and performed well enough to become the following year‘s free agent prize. (Getty Images)

Mitchell took over for an injured Dan Marino in 1993 and performed well enough to become the following year‘s free agent prize. (Getty Images)

Mitchel had weapons like Barry Sanders in Detroit; in the playoff year of 1995 Mitchell passed for more than 4,000 yards and Sanders ran for 1,500. (John Biever/Sports Illustrated)

John Biever/Sports Illustrated

Mitchell lasted 12 NFL seasons, finishing up as a backup in Cincy in 2001. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated)

Mitchell lasted 12 NFL seasons, finishing up as a backup in Cincy in 2001. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated)

“I lived my childhood dream, but to me it was a failure because I wasn’t a Hall of Famer, I didn’t win a Super Bowl. It really weighed on me emotionally.” (Trae Patton/NBC/Getty Images)

“I lived my childhood dream, but to me it was a failure because I wasn’t a Hall of Famer, I didn’t win a Super Bowl. It really weighed on me emotionally.” (Trae Patton/NBC/Getty Images)

“On a daily basis,” Mitchell says, “people are saying, ‘I appreciate your honesty and your vulnerability, and having the courage to go and do this.’ ” (Trae Patton/NBC/Getty Images)

“On a daily basis,” Mitchell says, “people are saying, ‘I appreciate your honesty and your vulnerability, and having the courage to go and do this.’ ” (Trae Patton/NBC/Getty Images)

Mitchell’s final weigh-in on “The Biggest Loser,” in the 16th season finale. (Vivian Zink/NBC/Getty Images)

Mitchell’s final weigh-in on “The Biggest Loser,” in the 16th season finale. (Vivian Zink/NBC/Getty Images)