He finished his career with 501 catches for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns. Local police later revealed that Branch had died from natural causes. Tatum was also noted for his involvement in the Immaculate Reception play during a 1972 playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But everyone will die. He won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV and XVIII. Visit Raiders.com for more. He played in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Houston Astros, and Atlanta Braves between 1962 and 1978. He was selected a high school All-American as a senior. Branch had just turned 71 on Thursday. Cliff Branch Obituary: We got information about the Death of Cliff Branch on August 5, 2022, through Social Media posts and News Websites.It was with a profound feeling of sadness, and an uneasy heart that loved ones and family members, as well as colleagues, and colleagues announced the sudden death of one of his beloved family members. Minus Swann (whose numbers were considerably lower), Branch had comparable statistics to each of those players as each have over 500 receptions and 8,000 yards. A 27-year-old Indiana native died after he fell off a cliff in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, over the weekend. It returned to the Bay Area in 1995. So, needless to say it's been far too long of a wait for Branch to take his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1970, he was selected as the National Defensive Player of the Year and was among the top vote getters for the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the athlete considered to have been the nation's best college football player that year. [2] The Raiders crushed the Vikings, 3214.[1]. [5] The play is famous because NFL rules at the time prohibited a receiver from batting the ball to another player of the same team. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. He was reported dead around 3 p.m. on August 3, 2019 at Bullhead City of Arizona urbs. He was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL Draft after playing college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. This is my last track meet since I expect to sign a pro contract with the Oakland Raiders within the next two weeks. 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 attended college at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was a sprinter on the track team and a receiver on the football team. [4] He was ranked as the sixth hardest hitter in NFL history by NFL Films and was elected to three Pro Bowls. or redistributed. Subscribe to NFL Films: goo.gl/XJTggL Start your free trial of NFL Game Pass: nfl.com/gamepass?campaign=sp-nf-gd-ot-yt-3000342 Check out our other channels: NFL Network youtube.com/nflnetwork NFL youtube.com/nfl Watch NFL Now: nfl.com/now Listen to NFL podcasts: nfl.com/podcasts Watch the NFL network: nflnonline.nfl.com/ Download the NFL, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Lester Hayes Among 3 Forgotten Raiders Who Should Be in the Hall of Fame. [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). Even though Branch put up big numbers in the regular season, he was arguably even more impressive in the postseason. [4] He also suffered from an arterial blockage that cost him his right leg; he used a prosthetic limb thereafter. On August 3, 2019, Branch was found dead in a hotel room in Arizona's Bullhead City. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He spent his entire 14-year NFL career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning three Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII. 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. . [7] The impact severely damaged Stingley's spinal cord and left him with incomplete quadriplegia for the rest of his life. His loss leaves an eternal void for the Raiders Family, but his kindness and loving nature will be fondly remembered forever.. Skip twitter post by 7 News Sydney "Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans," the team said in a statement. [3][4] Sportswriters John Clayton and Peter Richmond both wrote on Tatum's NFL legacy. The Raiders have not won a Super Bowl since. He played 10 seasons, from 1971 through 1980, with the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers in the National Football League (NFL). Required fields are marked *. Entire organization in mourning. His loss leaves an eternal void for the Raiders Family, but his kindness and loving nature will be fondly remembered forever. Another great player that wont be able to see himself inducted, Woodson tweeted. I will miss him dearly., "Cliff Was My Best Friend.. / by Peter Socotch. His body was found in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Arizona. When Branch died unexpectedly of natural causes in August of 2019 at age 71, many Raiders, including quarterback Derek Carr, . Branch's most impressive Super Bowl performance came in January 1981 when he caught five passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns during Oakland's 27-10 win over Philadelphia in Super Bowl XV. Cliff grew up, got famous, left football, settled in California, and was 71 when he died, three years before he could be in Canton as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's . Cliff was also a standout track athlete. F. The 6-foot-10 big man played at UConn from 1985-89, where he helped the Huskies win the 1988 NIT. Her family, friends and community are heartbroken." On occasion, jaimie used her music to promote leftist values, releasing music videos like "prayer for amerikkka pt. In contrast to a career where Cliff Branch was known for getting places in a hurry, the former Raiders wide receiver finally made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Thursday 37 years after his . [5] However, according to his former head coach John Madden, Tatum was never called by that nickname during his playing career. [3] His kidneys started to fail in his final years, and he was awaiting a kidney transplant at the time of his death. 51.210.99.98 Branch, who led the Raiders to three Super Bowl titles, died Saturday afternoon. (Getty Images), Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans, the team wrote in a statement, according to ESPN. There was an awkward collision as Stingley lowered his helmet to protect himself and hit Tatum's shoulder pad. "Stay alive so you can enjoy going to the Hall of Fame," Madden once told Branch, via the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. A case can be made that Branch belongs there as well. [2], In track, Branch set an NCAA championship meet record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.0 seconds at the 1972 NCAA championships semifinal in Eugene, Oregon. A US Coast Guard official told Insider that while they cannot confirm his cause of death at this time, a witness at the scene . Tatum was a first-team All-Big Ten in 1968, 1969 and 1970. He was a grandparent toBrentney and Courtni. Jaimie Branch died on June 17, 1983, in the United States of America. He led the league in receiving yards in 1974 and in receiving touchdowns in 1974 and 1976. 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. Cause of death. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. READ NEXT: Lester Hayes Among 3 Forgotten Raiders Who Should Be in the Hall of Fame, Cliff Branch Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. However, none of them could say that they were part of all three Raiders Super Bowl championships. Former Raiders WR great Cliff Branch has passed away. In the epidemiological framework of the Global Burden of Disease study each death has one specific cause. Cliff Branch, one of the Raiders' career-leading receivers who won three Super Bowls, has died. Branch was an All-Pro three straight seasons (1974-76) and made four Pro Bowls a record of success that many of his former teammates and coaches, as well as Branch himself, believed should have earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [8] Gene Upshaw, a teammate and future executive, described the hit as "one of those things that happens that everyone regrets". The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Drafted by the Raiders out of Colorado in 1972, Branch caught 501 passes for 8,685 yards and scored 67 touchdowns, averaging 17.3 yards per reception. I was a football player who also ran track, he told The Times in 1974. jaimie branch, a trumpeter who combined punk ferocity with advanced . The Branch family was minding its own business in Sunnyside, with not a clue oldest sibling Cliff would grow up to be the fastest man in the NFL. Rob Babcock Wiki and Biography Loot Babcock was A yank b-ball government. 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. Branch has been a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame twice (2004, 2010), but he's never made it past that round of voting. acceptable if another cause of death in a, b, or c requires referral to the coroner. "I am going into my 25th year of being a television meteorologist," he wrote. Branch also finished with an impressive career average of 17.3 yards per catch. Statement from Raiders begins: "Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans. Those guys were just afraid that hed blow by them, and, ultimately, he would blow by them.. In the postseason, he had his best game for the AFC Championship, where he caught nine passes for 186 yards and a touchdown, but the Raiders lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 2413. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Branch has longevity to his career and was also a big part of the team during the Jim Plunkett era. Powered by. Branch is survived by his wife Barbara Branch, two sons- Brent and Anthony, daughter Melanie, and three siblings-sisters Cheryl and Elaine and brother Edwin. "Cliff Was My Best Friend.. Just have to give my condolences to the family. She was born with Stargardt disease and began losing her eyesight at a young age. . After struggling for his first two seasons to consistently catch the ball, Branch had a breakout year in 1974, catching 60 passes for 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns. In July this year, 19-year-old Gavin Zimmerman fell to his death while taking selfies on a cliff in New South Wales, Australia. (The last title came while the team was located in Los Angeles. Would love your thoughts, please comment. [6] Tatum and Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley collided as Stingley was leaping for a pass on an inside slant route, a play the Patriots had run earlier in the game with some success that put him in the path of Tatum. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Branchs cause of death has yet to be revealed, but any information will be updated here. [8] In his final season of play with the Raiders in 1985,[9] his season ended prematurely when he was placed on the injured reserve list. Branch's sister, Elaine Anderson, selected Davis to present her brother, who will enter the Hall of Fame in Canton this Summer. Tatum was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 1981 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Rob Babcock was born in 1953, in Phoenix, Arizona, United States and, Read More Rob Babcock Biography, Age, Death, Family, Net WorthContinue, David Montgomery Wiki David Montgomery (age 72years) was the administrator, minority-proprietor, and previous President of the Philadelphia Phillies. He was 71. He played two seasons at Colorado catching 36 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns for a run-oriented offense. . John David Tatum (November 18, 1948 - July 27, 2010) was an American football safety.He played 10 seasons, from 1971 through 1980, with the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers in the National Football League (NFL). Alameda County auction may leave one of Oaklands last pro teams without a home 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 posthumously. A native of Houston, Branch caught 501 passes for more than 8,600 yards and 67 touchdowns. It is important to understand what is meant by the cause of death and the risk factor associated with a premature death:. He also keeps a good number of former players employed. Accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 25-44, followed by suicide and cancer. said Branch had died of natural causes. Legal Statement. The only two players hes behind in yards, touchdowns and receptions are Hall-of-Famers Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff. Birthday: August 1, 1948. Fox News Flash top headlines for August 4 are here. 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. Cliff Branch, one of the Raiders' career-leading receivers who won three Super Bowls, has died. He went to the Pro Bowl while also being named First-team All-Pro, owing to him leading the league in yards, touchdowns, and yards per game as a receiver. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Team owner Mark Davis canceled plans to attend a Las Vegas function tonight upon learning news, per @johnnykats. He was 71. [2] The ball fell into the hands of Steelers running back Franco Harris, who ran it 42 yards for the game-winning touchdown. ), All my peers that I played against and that are in the Hall of Fame, they tell me that I deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, he told the Raiders website in a recent interview. The sprinters speed Branch brought to the game was in evidence throughout his career, as he produced his longest play from scrimmage by catching a 99-yard touchdown pass against Washington at age 35 the year the Raiders won their last Super Bowl. The final game of the football season, Passaic's annual Thanksgiving matchup with rival Clifton High School, was regarded as "Jack Tatum Day" and the school honored him with a ceremony at halftime where his number 32 was officially retired.[15]. 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. Subscribe to NFL Films: goo.gl/XJTggL Start your free trial of NFL Game Pass: nfl.com/gamepass?campaign=sp-nf-gd-ot-yt-3000342 Check out our other channels: NFL Network youtube.com/nflnetwork NFL youtube.com/nfl Watch NFL Now: nfl.com/now Listen to NFL podcasts: nfl.com/podcasts Watch the NFL network: nflnonline.nfl.com/ Download, #7 Cliff Branch | Top 10 Raiders All Time | NFL Films, Cliff Branch may have been one of the most underrated Raiders of all time. It's been 32 years since Cliff Branch's first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame. Branch 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. The three-time Super Bowl champion was 71 at the time of his death. Clifford Robinson's cause of death revealed - NBC Sports RSN. Las Vegas, NV, USA. In a statement released by the Raiders, Mark Davis stated Cliff was my best friend.. Her parents helped her get therapeutic treatment for depression following her lost eyesight in 2018. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGkOD4jhmHm/ Age, Read More Who is Anastasia Pagonis? Clifford was 71 years old at the time of death. To facilitate this goal, he created the Ohio-based Jack Tatum Fund for Youthful Diabetes, which finances diabetes research. Cliff Branch net worth before his death is estimated to be $5 million. He caught at least 27 passes in seven of those years for at least 400 yards, with the 1980 season (44 catches, 858 yards, 7 touchdowns) being his last hit year. Week 5, 1976#Raiders #ChargersCliff Branch has a career high 167 yards on 5 catches.He also scores twice.Stabler has an incredible day 20-26-339-31Casper 7-104127-17 #Raiders #HappyBirthdayCliff pic.twitter.com/A1NPZXPwhV, Old Time Football (@Ol_TimeFootball) August 2, 2019. Through thick and thin, through clouds and rain, Barbara was . The Air Force veteran and International athlete Cliff Simon suddenly died at 59 on Thursday, March 9. He stands third among Raiders pass catchers in yards receiving with 8,685, trailing Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff both Hall of Famers. Quincy Williams or JuJu Smith-Schuster: Who is the better grinch. Like our Oakland Raiders Facebook page for more Raiders news, commentary and conversation. He filled in like a bad habit director of Basketball Operations with the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA, and conjointly as head of the commonplace capital Raptors from 2004 to 2006. As for the Hall of Fame, Branch had been hoping to get in while he was still alive. She has been on PGA Tour ranks with his boyfriend. [2] However, assistant coach Lou Holtz convinced Hayes to switch Tatum to defensive back during Tatum's freshman season. Former Raiders linebacker Phil Villapiano echoed that sentiment through the Twitter account of his daughter: Rest in peace to the best (wide) receiver that should be in the Hall of Fame., From my Dad and the rest of the Villapiano family Rest in Peace to the best wife receiver that should be in the Hall of Fame. Branchs death comes on the day a new class is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Its made even sadder by the fact that the same thing happened to his former teammate Ken Stabler, who was later inducted posthumously. He became the first football star to receive this honour posthumously. The receiver also caught 73 postseason passes, which ranks as the 10th highest total of all-time. [4] A few weeks later, Tatum signed a three-year, six-figure contract with a $50,000 signing bonus. Branch teamed with Hall of Fame receiver Fred Biletnikoff to give the Raiders one of the most dynamic receiving duos in NFL history. [13], Last edited on 27 December 2022, at 06:07, Professional Football Researchers Association, "Cliff Branch, Raiders' Elusive All-Pro Receiver, Dies at 71", "1972 NCAA Track and Field Championships", "Cliff BRANCH profile - all-athletics.com", "Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers - October 14th, 1973", "AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders - December 29th, 1974", "Former Raiders great Cliff Branch dies at 71", "Captains Dalby, Jensen Dropped by the Raiders", "Los Angeles Raiders at Washington Redskins - October 2nd, 1983", "Divisional Round - Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Raiders - January 1st, 1984", "Cliff Branch, receiver from Oakland Raiders glory years, dies at 71", "Career Statistics at Pro-Football-Reference.com", "#5 Cliff Branch | | NFL Films | Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame", "Former Raiders receiver Cliff Branch dies at 71", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cliff_Branch&oldid=1129808102, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 27 December 2022, at 06:07. His duties include a concentration on the NFL and Major League Baseball. Cliff Branch was born on August 1, 1948 and died on August 3, 2019. Caitlin, Read More Who is Caitlyn Sellers? 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. Cliff's on-field accomplishments are well documented and undeniably Hall of Fame worthy, but his friendship and smile are what the Raider Nation will always cherish.". [13][22] His body was found in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Arizona. He was posthumously elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022. 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: $5 million. Oakland Raiders' Cliff Branch is brought down by Denver Broncos' Bob after picking up nine yards on a pass from quarterback Ken Stabler during the first period of an NFL football game on Dec. 3 . 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. L. He was 71. For those 65 and older, the top causes of death are roughly the same as the top causes of death for the overall . He graduated in 1972 and became a fourth-round draft pick by the Raiders. Select the 'Assisted Dying' checkbox, if completing the form online in Death Documents. Wiki, Biography, Age, Parents, Swimmer, Net Worth, Jim Bouton Bio, Wiki, Age, Spouse, Death, Net Worth, Who is Ricardo Ciciliano? [8][13] In 20 playoff contests, he compiled 73 receptions for 1,289 yards, an average of 17.7 yards per catch, and five touchdowns. Her label confirmed the horrible news on Aug. 23. This is my last track meet, since I expect to sign a pro contract with the Oakland Raiders within the next two weeks. Branch, who spent his entire career with the Raiders, ended up retiring following the 1985 season. With 22 seconds left in the game, Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass to running back John "Frenchy" Fuqua. Getty Wednesday, August 3, 2022, marks the three-year death commemoration of legendary NFL player Branch. Branch finished his career with 1,289 receiving yards in the playoffs, which ranks fourth all-time. . 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 . An Agile Workforces Best Desk Booking Software, Who is Yoel Roth? Branchs legend will remain forever in the hearts of Raiders fans. Popular American American jazz trumpeter and composer, Jaimie Branch has been confirmed dead at the age of 39 at her home in Brooklyn, New York. Going to miss those interactions with you., Rest In Peace to a true @Raiders Legend Cliff Branch. Laser Tattoo Removal Benefits: What Are They? Branch would have a four-year peak that resulted in Pro Bowl (four) and All-Pro selections (three), with the 1976 season resulting in a career high 1,111 yards to go with 12 touchdowns on 46 catches. Fox News Flash top headlines for August 4. 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. Immediate cause of death:The final disease or injury causing the death. Tatum did not begin playing football until he entered his sophomore year at Passaic High School, where he played as a running back, fullback and defensive back and was selected first-team All-State. He spent his entire N.F.L. Performance & security by Cloudflare. He ended his career with 501 receptions, averaging 17.3 yards per catch as a target for three of the top quarterbacks of his era, Daryle Lamonica, Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett. Two years later, Branch had 46 receptions for 1,111 yards and 12 touchdowns with a long of 88 yards, averaging a career high 24.2 yards per catch. Death and Cause. In a time of celebration for fellow players being inducted into the pro football HOF Im saddened to hear about the passing of cliff branch. 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 . The death was ruled to be due to natural causes. BREAKING NEWS: Jaimie Branch Dead 39, Cause Of Death Revealed, composer and jazz trumpeter, On Monday, August 22, composer and trumpeter Jaimie branch passed. Your email address will not be published. Cliff Branch mysteriously and suddenly dies at the age of 71 in Arizona. All rights reserved. [13] The record was tied 28 years later by Aeneas Williams. He was a first-team All-Pro for three consecutive seasons from 1974-76. Branchs sister, Elaine, was at the event to collect the honour. John David Tatum (November 18, 1948 July 27, 2010) was an American football safety. With him its not running, its flying, the Raiders owner Al Davis told the columnist Dave Anderson of The New York Times in 1974. 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. Obituaries. For full obituary and coverage from . In 2011, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Branch to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2011.[21]. [8] He soon lost the entire leg below the knee because of the illness. MyNewsGH. More Cliff Branch:Cliff Branch made trouble for Buckeyes, Browns on his way to Pro Football Hall of Fame. All rights reserved. One of the greatest players to ever wear the black and gold was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday night. The Raiders have lost a legend.. Former wide receiver Cliff Branch, who spent 14 seasons with the team, passed away on Saturday at the age of 71. Branch had a remarkable stretch from 1974-1976. 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 Branch's career. Accurate cause-of-death information is important: To the public health community in evaluating and improving the health of all citizens, and Often to the family, now and in the future, and to the person settling the decedent's estate. Zalatoris is dating Caitlyn Sellers, but the couple has tried to maintain a low profile as his golf career has taken off. Bullhead City Police Department in Arizona, celebrated its newest Hall of Fame members, gets in as one of the 10 senior committee nominees, Jerry Jones believes Cowboys can keep Zeke and Pollard, NFL combine measurements for DBs: Full list of results, Jerry Jones believes Prescott can progress like Brady, NFL combine 2023 results tracker: Top performances, NFL combine 2023: Winners and losers from DB workouts, Report: Pollard to get franchise tag if deal isn't done. [3], The incident affected Tatum personally and for several years, according to close friend John Hicks, made him "somewhat of a recluse". By. Among the many people hit hard by Branchs death, Raiders owner Mark Davis offered a strong and touching response. [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 won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV and XVIII.He was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL Draft after playing . Branch was selected in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL Draft with the 98th overall pick by the Oakland Raiders. "[4] According to Stingley in his 1983 autobiography, Happy To Be Alive, Tatum never made any effort to apologize or to see him after the incident. But in college he thought of himself as a football player first. [6] His third season proved his moment. Hopefully, the Hall of Fame immortalizes the wide receiver by inducting him into Canton. He was once clocked at 9.2 seconds in the 100-yard dash. NFL Hall Of Fame Cliff Branch was married to his wife Barbara Branch, and they were long together till his demise in 2019. Branch died of natural causes. Former Raiders Charles Woodson also mentioned the Hall of Fame snub. Social media risk-taking culture varies by nation . 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. [2], He holds the record for the longest fumble return in NFL history. "Cliff Was My Best Friend.. He was a wide receiver and a key player for the NFLs Oakland Raiders during their glory years of the 1970s and early 1980s. [4][8] The National Football League took no disciplinary action for the tackle; however, the NFL would later tighten its rules on violent hits. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Branch was found dead in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Ariz., about 3:40 p.m., local police wrote in a Facebook post. 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. . Stabler was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, months after his death. He has died at the age of 72. In their own words: 'each death is attributed to a single underlying cause the cause that initiated the series of . record for career receiving average is held by Homer Jones of the Giants and the Cleveland Browns, with 22.26.). 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.