Anyone recognize this part?

Do you have a material collection system on you machine? If so, looks like part of a baffle that's mounted on the under side of the deck.

I do not but that's a good thought. I would think if it was that it would be dirtier than it is...both parts when I found them were relatively clean, like they hadn't been on the machine at all, however some of metal looks like it was bent which makes me believe otherwise.

Just a hunch, could be part of a mulching kit - 62C deck calls P/N BM21890 as the mulching kit.https://www.muttonpower.com/p-9085-john-deere-62-mulching-kit-bm21890.aspx

With steel parts today often not being of the gauge of yesteryear, it's conceivable to run over a large object that turned out to be mostly immovable/immutable - in which case the mulching kit loses the fight and breaks apart...overdue to remove the deck and inspect the underbelly!
:wwp:
:goodl:

not to worry, nothing time, effort, and maybe $209 won't solve

let us know the outcome of what you find on the dark side of the deck