Buy Raiders Tickets. That year, the Raiders won their first championship, and Branch caught nine combined passes in three games for under 50 yards each, but they still prevailed in the Super Bowl regardless. She was born with Stargardt disease and began losing her eyesight at a young age. The Raiders have had some legendary wide receivers over the years. But everyone will die. Cliff Branch, one of the Raiders' career-leading receivers who won three Super Bowls, has died. [3][4] Sportswriters John Clayton and Peter Richmond both wrote on Tatum's NFL legacy. . Former Raiders Charles Woodson also mentioned the Hall of Fame snub. Fox News Flash top headlines for August 4. He was 71. Hes top-three in every major receiving category for the team. Trail Blazers. Hall of Fame 2022 remembers him as one of the finest players in NHL history. Not only was he there, but he was also an important part of all three teams. He was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL Draft after playing college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. The news of the wise NFL legend's passing surprised and saddened the entire planet. He excelled as a return specialist, running back eight kicks and punts for touchdowns in two seasons for a Colorado record that still stands. His loss leaves an eternal void for the Raiders Family, but his kindness and loving nature will be fondly remembered forever.. [16][17][18] Among his individual accolades were being selected to four consecutive Pro Bowl teams (1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977), and three times being selected as a first-team All-Pro (1974, 1975, 1976). The three-time Super Bowl champion was 71 at the time of his death. I Will Miss Him Dearly". (Inductees are chosen by a committee made up largely of news media representatives. Tatum was traded to the Houston Oilers for running back Kenny King and seventh round draft choices in the 1980 and 1981 NFL drafts. He played his entire 14-season career with the Raiders. Cliff Robertson, Oscar-Winning Rebel, Dies at 88 Frustrated in his Hall of Fame dreams he was a semifinalist for the honor in 2004 and 2010 Branch remained convinced that he was deserving of induction. Tatum was involved in one of the more significant plays in National Football League history, the Immaculate Reception, during the AFC divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 23, 1972. He was 71. What happened to meteorologist Clint Boone? | The US Sun The expert actor was living in Los . 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. "Cliff was my best friend. He always had nothing but a smile on his face every time I saw and always said I reminded him of himself. Cliff Branch, Raiders legend, dead at 71 - New York Post [4] Tatum helped lead the Buckeyes to a 272 record in his three seasons as a starter, with two national championship appearances, two Big Ten titles and two national championships in 1968 and 1970. [3] His kidneys started to fail in his final years, and he was awaiting a kidney transplant at the time of his death. . Burton died in Sweden on September 27, 1986, when he was thrown out of a bus window after the driver lost control, and the vehicle then rolled over him. A man has plummeted to his death after climbing a tree to pose for a picture before falling off of a cliff and into the ocean. The police there, in northwest Arizona, said Branch had died of natural causes. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Clifford Branch Jr. (August 1, 1948 - August 3, 2019) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders during his entire 14-year National Football League (NFL) career. On February 10, 2022, he was selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During his three Super Bowl appearances combined, Branch caught 14 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns. Cliff Branch, Raiders' Elusive All-Pro Receiver, Dies at 71 The death was ruled to be due to natural causes. Cliff played on all three Raiders teams that won the Super Bowl, following 1976, 1980 and 1983 seasons. Cliff Branch was a big part of all three Raiders Super Bowl wins. "It was a test of my faith, the entire story. He graduated from San Jose State University with a BA degree in journalism. Cliff Branch waited a long time to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [2] However, assistant coach Lou Holtz convinced Hayes to switch Tatum to defensive back during Tatum's freshman season. Wednesday, August 3, 2022, marks the three-year death commemoration of legendary NFL player Branch. August 24, 2022. With him its not running, its flying, the Raiders owner Al Davis once said. [2] The Raiders crushed the Vikings, 3214.[1]. [4] He was ranked as the sixth hardest hitter in NFL history by NFL Films and was elected to three Pro Bowls. On October 2, 1983, Branch caught the longest pass by a Raider, as he caught a 99-yard pass from Jim Plunkett in the second quarter versus the Washington Redskins According to the Bullhead City Police Department . Cliff Branch, a three-time All-Pro wide receiver who won three Super Bowls during his 14-year NFL career, all with the Oakland Raiders, has died, the team confirmed late Saturday. Only five other players in the franchises history were part of all three teams. In 1974, Tatum had six interceptions and in Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977, Tatum knocked the helmet off Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sammy White. Quincy Williams or JuJu Smith-Schuster: Who is the better grinch. Branch had a slow start to his career, as his 1972 season consisted of one start in 14 games with three combined catches for 41 yards. Tatum visited a number of universities before starting his collegiate career with The Ohio State University Buckeyes. Jerry McDonald is a Bay Area News Group sports general assignment writer and columnist for The Mercury News and East Bay Times with more than 40 years of experience. Entire organization in mourning. Cliff Branch's blazing speed led to Hall of Fame induction Cliff was a native of Houston, he caught 501 passes for more than 8,600 yards and 67 touchdowns. Metallica 's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett have recalled the tour bus crash that killed bassist Cliff Burton 30 years ago this month - and how their first reaction to the tragedy was anger. One of the greatest players to ever wear the black and gold was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday night. He is survived by his sons Brent and Anthony; a daughter, Melanie; his sisters Cheryl and Elaine; a brother, Edwin; and two grandchildren, the university said. egendary former Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch died Saturday. He graduated in 1972 and became a fourth-round draft pick by the Raiders. Completing the Medical Certificate Cause of Death form HENDERSON, Nev. -- Cliff Branch had just finished the sixth grade when, at his father's 4 th of July company picnic in Houston, boys of all ages and sizes lined up for the day's main event -- a . Heres all you need to know about the legendary footballers cause of death and family: OnAugust 3, 2019, Branch was found dead in a hotel room in Arizonas Bullhead City. Branch, who spent his entire career with the Raiders, ended up retiring following the 1985 season. Local police later revealed that Branch had died from natural causes. Two years later, she cried tears of joy as her brother, former Raiders receiver Cliff Branch, was named as a member of the 2022 induction class. One day at a company picnic, it became evident . Time went too fast. Market data provided by Factset. There is no way Cliff Branch should not be in the Hall of Fame, Al Davis told reporters at the 2009 NFL owners meetings. 1973 was slightly better, as he caught 19 catches for 290 yards in total for three touchdowns. In 1971, he had 13 catches for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns along with 9 carries for 235 yards and 4 touchdowns. Cliff Branch is being enshrined Saturday, but that's not enough for Raiders owner Mark Davis. Man plummets to his death after falling from branch on cliff while Fox News Flash top headlines for August 4 are here. Cliff Branch, one of the Raiders' career-leading receivers who won three Super Bowls, has died. ormer Trail Blazers big man Cliff Robinson died Saturday at the age of 53. Cliff and fellow receiver Fred Biletnikoff were dependable targets for quarterback Ken Stabler as the Raiders dominated the AFC West for the first five seasons of Branchs career. Going to miss those interactions with you. He was a standout player at Worthing High School there and attended Wharton County Community College in Wharton, Tex., before transferring to the University of Colorado, where he was a sprinter on the track team as well as a star receiver for the Buffaloes. Mark Davis turns Raiders' HQ into 'Cliff Branch Resort' Cliff won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV, and XVII. Required fields are marked *. RIP #21 #OnceARaiderAlwaysARaider, Kirk Morrison (@kirkmorrison) August 4, 2019. Jaimie Branch died on June 17, 1983, in the United States of America. People are dying--literally--for social media fame - Fast Company Raiders legendary WR Cliff Branch to finally be enshrined in Pro Cliff Branch, a wide receiver who was a key player for the NFLs Oakland Raiders during their glory years of the 1970s and early 1980s, died Saturday, according to reports. Few teams revere their alumni the way the Raiders do, so this is absolutely heartbreaking news for the Silver and Black. No specific cause was given. An initial investigation showed the death to be natural causes, the report . On August 3, 2019 at approximately 3:40 p.m. Clifford Branch, former Oakland Raiders two-time Super Bowl champion, was found deceased in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Arizona . He was popularly known as "the Assassin" because of his playing style.Tatum was voted to three consecutive Pro Bowls (1973-1975) and was a member of one Super Bowl-winning team . Click to reveal There was an awkward collision as Stingley lowered his helmet to protect himself and hit Tatum's shoulder pad. Boone updated his LinkedIn when he began working for News On 6 to express his excitement at being hired by the news station. . CU Buffs great Cliff Branch, an All-Pro with the Raiders, dead at age 71 An article on the University of Colorado website said he lost his home in Santa Rosa, Calif., to wildfires in 2017 and had been planning to move to Las Vegas in anticipation of the Raiders move there for the 2020 season. [1] Soon after the game, sportswriters started to compare him to Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus because of his hard-hitting skills, and he became the starting free safety in his rookie year. This is my last track meet since I expect to sign a pro contract with the Oakland Raiders within the next two weeks. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. In all likelihood, hell get in eventually, but its a shame that he couldnt be there to see it happen. Clifford Branch Jr. was born on Aug. 1, 1948, in Houston. The course of Boone's career took him from Kansas to Tennessee, Arkansas, and finally Oklahoma where he worked from 2014 until his death. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Biletnikoff, Tim Brown, James Lofton, Jerry Rice and Randy Moss have all donned the silver and black and are all in the Hall of Fame. On a day where the NFL celebrated its newest Hall of Fame members, the Raiders made sure to point out that Branch should have been one of them. His death was due to natural causes. Charles Woodson gave Branch is due on Twitter, relating his death to that of quarterback Ken Stabler, who died in 2015 of colon cancer and was inducted in 2016. Your email address will not be published. Going to miss those interactions with you., Rest In Peace to a true @Raiders Legend Cliff Branch. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. In a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 24, 1972, he returned a fumble 104 yards for a touchdown. Cliff Branch died on 3 August 2019, two days after his 71st birthday. The son of the late Al Davis, Mark has not made it a secret that he loves to keep the Raider alumni close to the franchise. That was of course Cliff Branch, who played two years at Colorado as a receiver from 1970-71. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Former Raiders receiver Cliff Branch dies at 71 - San Francisco Chronicle DOUBLE AMPUTEE, 14, THROWS TOUCHDOWN AT DETROIT LIONS PRACTICE, Branch played on all three Raiders teams that won the Super Bowl, following the 1976, 1980 and 1983 seasons. Former Raiders WR Cliff Branch. Branch turned 71 on Thursday. She has been on PGA Tour ranks with his boyfriend. Branch died on August 3, 2019, two days after his 71st birthday. "Cliff Was My Best Friend.. Local police later revealed that Branch had died from natural causes. Rest In Peace, Buddy. #CliffBranch @Raiders pic.twitter.com/AGtcoVDu6b, VILLAPIANO (@VillapianOk) August 4, 2019. Branch was a force in the postseason as well, with 1,289 yards receiving. He always had nothing but a smile on his face every time I saw him and always said I reminded him of himself, Ford tweeted. Head coach Woody Hayes recruited Tatum as a running back. [8] The two never spoke with one another after that day,[8] although Stingley related in a 2003 Boston Globe interview that he had forgiven Tatum. Hed stretch the defense. Branch teamed with Hall of Fame receiver Fred Biletnikoff to give the Raiders one of the most dynamic receiving duos in NFL history. As for the Hall of Fame, Branch had been hoping to get in while he was still alive. The Raiders won Super Bowls after the 1976, 1980 and 1983 seasons the last one in Los Angeles, where the franchise had moved from Oakland in 1982 after lengthy court fights. The honor for Branch comes just over three years after he died at age 71 of natural causes, marking the second time in recent years that a Raiders great got inducted into the Hall of Fame . No cause of death has been released. [3] In the storied rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, Tatum and his fellow Buckeyes won in 1968 by the score of 5014, lost in 1969 by 2412, and won again in 1970 by 209. He married and had three children, and wrote three best-selling books: They Call Me Assassin (1980); They Still Call Me Assassin (1989); and Final Confessions of NFL Assassin Jack Tatum (1996). Date of Death: August 3, 2019. MyNewsGH. A US Coast Guard official told Insider that while they cannot confirm his cause of death at this time, a witness at the scene . Cliff Branch was not about to be denied that end zone." . for the latest breaking news, rumors and content! Case for Cliff Branch to Canton Full Version, The full halftime feature during the Raiders first preseason game makes a case for Raiders legendary receiver Cliff Branch to be the next Raider great inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cliff Branch Net Worth: How Rich was Raiders Legend Actually? (Getty Images), Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans, the team wrote in a statement, according to ESPN. Cliff was also a standout track athlete. Legal Statement. The incident occurred on Sept. 27 at approximately 1:48 p.m. when . [1], Tatum eventually faced his own disability challenges, as all five toes on his left foot were amputated in 2003 due to a staph infection caused by diabetes. In 20 playoff games, including Super Bowl victories following the 1976, 1980 and 1983 seasons, Branch had 73 catches for 1,289 yards and five touchdowns.