Frederick B. Mitchell, (born July 10, 1948), in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a former award-winning sportswriter and columnist (1974–2015) for the Chicago Tribune.
He is the author of 12 books and also the namesake for the Fred Mitchell Award, which annually goes to the top placekicker among over 750 non-FBS colleges in America.
The award, handed out through the National Football Foundation, is based on kicking performance and community service.
Mitchell set the NCAA record for most career points scored by kicking while playing for small-college powerhouse Wittenberg University of Springfield, Ohio from 1965 to 1968.
He became a columnist in the last 20 years of his career and earned the Ring Lardner Award for outstanding sports journalism in 2015.