"[3][4] He also posted a personal best of 20.5 seconds in the 200 meters. Time will tell if he will make it into the Hall of Fame, but theres no doubt he should be there. "Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans. Branch spent each of his 14 NFL seasons with the Raiders and it resulted in an impressive statistical career. John David Tatum (November 18, 1948 July 27, 2010) was an American football safety. Former Raider Jacoby Ford was like many Raiders receivers who were also track athletes and compared to Branch. [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. [3][4] Sportswriters John Clayton and Peter Richmond both wrote on Tatum's NFL legacy. In 2011, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Branch to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2011.[21]. This is my last track meet since I expect to sign a pro contract with the Oakland Raiders within the next two weeks. As one of the greatest deep threats in NFL history, its only fitting that Branch holds the record for longest catch made by a Raider. In their own words: 'each death is attributed to a single underlying cause the cause that initiated the series of . or redistributed. Ischaemic heart disease and stroke are the only causes of death in the top 10 for which the total numbers have gone down between 2000 and 2019, by 16% (or 327 000 deaths) and by 21% (or 205 000 deaths) respectively. Branchs legend will remain forever in the hearts of Raiders fans. [4] Tatum played his first professional game against the Baltimore Colts, in which he tackled and knocked out Colts tight ends John Mackey and Tom Mitchell. 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. [19] In addition, he led the NFL in receiving yards once (1974) and receiving touchdowns twice (1974, 1976). According to the Bullhead Ciy (Arizona) police Twitter account, Branch was found deceased in his hotel room at 3:40 p.m. . He was reported dead around 3 p.m. on August 3, 2019 at Bullhead City of Arizona urbs. ), Cliff Branch, right, of the then-Los Angeles Raiders, runs the ball against Mel Blount of the Pittsburgh Steelers during an AFC playoff game in Los Angeles, Jan. 1, 1984. As for the Hall of Fame, Branch had been hoping to get in while he was still alive. Excelling as a sprinter, Branch had a best time of 10.0 seconds in the 100 meters in the NCAA championships in Eugene and was a candidate for the United States Olympic team, but opted to sign with the Raiders after Al Davis drafted him in the fourth round, No. "I am going into my 25th year of being a television meteorologist," he wrote. record with a 99-yard touchdown catch in a regular-season game, gathering in a pass from Plunkett against the Redskins in Washington and outrunning their secondary. Branch was found dead in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Ariz., about 3:40 p.m., local police wrote in a Facebook post. It can be present for years before the death. Former Raiders WR great Cliff Branch has passed away. After having caught 212 passes for 3,967 yards and 43 touchdowns in his first six years, Branch played the remaining eight seasons with steady but eventual decline. L. He was 71. 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. egendary former Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch died Saturday. With 22 seconds left in the game, Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass to running back John "Frenchy" Fuqua. According to police, his death was due to natural causes, based on an initial investigation report. 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. He was a second-round pick (36th overall) by the Trail . Team owner Mark Davis, son of the late Raiders owner Al Davis, referred to Branch as my best friend in a statement. She has been on PGA Tour ranks with his boyfriend. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. 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. Branch, wiry at 5 feet 11 and 170 pounds but remarkably durable, was one of . Tatum retired after being released by the Oilers following the 1980season. In 2017, Branch lost his home and all his Raiders memorabilia as wild fires ravaged Santa Rosa. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1972. . Even though Branch put up big numbers in the regular season, he was arguably even more impressive in the postseason. Your IP: The four-time Pro Bowler and three . The course of Boone's career took him from Kansas to Tennessee, Arkansas, and finally Oklahoma where he worked from 2014 until his death. [6] His third season proved his moment. He is survived by his son Brent. Visit Raiders.com for more. 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The only two players hes behind in yards, touchdowns and receptions are Hall-of-Famers Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff. 51.210.99.98 A sprinter at Colorado in addition to playing football, Branch struck fear into opposing defenses with his ability to get deep. Raiders give Derek Carr his freedom and a head start over other QBs in free agency Tatum was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 1981 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Those guys were just afraid that hed blow by them, and, ultimately, he would blow by them.. The three-time Super Bowl champion was 71 at the time of his death. According to the Bullhead Ciy (Arizona) police Twitter account, Branch was found deceased in his hotel room at 3:40 p.m. The initial investigation revealed no suspected foul play and that Mr. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. at 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 . [4][8] The National Football League took no disciplinary action for the tackle; however, the NFL would later tighten its rules on violent hits. And it's been 2.5 years since his unexpected passing at the age of 71. Going to miss those interactions with you. Age at Death: 71. [5][7] Clayton wrote that Tatum was part of the reason why the Steelers-Raiders matchup was his most anticipated game of the season while starting his sports-writing career in Pittsburgh, and that Tatum hit like "no other safety in football". Police said an investigation found no foul play and Branch died of natural causes. Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end and former coach of the Chicago Bears, was even more succinct in a 2017 interview. The prototypical Al Davis deep threat, Branch was close to Raiders owner Mark Davis. 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. All rights reserved. The data itself comes from death certificates and records the main cause of death - which is why the influenza numbers are lower than other estimates, for instance. 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 . For full obituary and coverage from . . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Among the many people hit hard by Branchs death, Raiders owner Mark Davis offered a strong and touching response. [1] Upon hearing of his death, Tressel said, "We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes."[3]. Rob Babcock Wiki and Biography Loot Babcock was A yank b-ball government. 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. Team owner Mark Davis canceled plans to attend a Las Vegas function tonight upon learning news, per @johnnykats. 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. Raiders | The professional actor and athlete, Cliff Simon unfortunately died after a critical Kiteboarding accident at the age of 59. [14], Tatum was honored by Passaic High School during their 2008 season. He set the University of Colorado at Boulder and NCAA Championship record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.0 seconds at the 1972 NCAA championships semifinal in Eugene, Oregon. He was 71. Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Death Cause, Ney WorthContinue, Your email address will not be published. During his three Super Bowl appearances combined, Branch caught 14 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns. Cliff Branch, the late Oakland Raiders wide receiver, was awarded a Ring of Excellence at theAllegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. MyNewsGH. NAPA, Calif. -- Cliff Branch, a four-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro receiver with the Raiders, has died, the team announced Saturday. 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 . [3][4] According to Madden, "It was something that ate on him for his whole life. Branch was an integral part of three championship teams. After leaving the NFL, Branch briefly played Arena Football for the Los Angeles Cobras. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. In a statement released by the Raiders, Mark Davis stated Cliff was my best friend.. Branch was a force in the postseason as well, with 1,289 yards receiving. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. He has died at the age of 71. Wiki, Biography, Age, Parents, Swimmer, Net Worth, Jim Bouton Bio, Wiki, Age, Spouse, Death, Net Worth, Who is Ricardo Ciciliano? The only two players ahead of him on all those lists -- Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff -- are both in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cliff Branch was the epitome . [20], He was a nominee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was a semifinalist in 2004 and 2010. 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). Rob Babcock Biography, Age, Death, Family, Net Worth, David Montgomery Bio, Wiki, Age, Death, Profile, Wife, Net Worth, Who is Caitlyn Sellers? An initial investigation showed the death to be natural causes, the report said. In 2020, the Hall of Fame will be inducting a special class of 20 people, and our projection here at CBSSports.com is that Branch gets in as one of the 10 senior committee nominees. . Obituaries. His cause of death was not immediately known, and the Raiders confirmed his passing in a tweet from owner Mark Davis. 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. He was 71. During Al Davis' reign as Raiders owner, Mark Davis actually served as Branch's agent at one point. Intermediate cause of death: A disease or condition that preceded and caused the immediate cause of death. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Branch was Davis' best friend up until Branch's death in August 2019. Your email address will not be published. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He was a grandparent toBrentney and Courtni. Branch died on August 3rd, 2019, two days after his 71st birthday. The receiver also caught 73 postseason passes, which ranks as the 10th highest total of all-time. Tatum was traded to the Houston Oilers for running back Kenny King and seventh round draft choices in the 1980 and 1981 NFL drafts. . The radio equipment directive (RED) governs radio equipment. 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. Hopefully, the Hall of Fame immortalizes the wide receiver by inducting him into Canton. ormer Trail Blazers big man Cliff Robinson died Saturday at the age of 53. Hed stretch the defense. His body was found in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Arizona. Caitlin, Read More Who is Caitlyn Sellers? 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. He had turned 71 just two days earlier. Powered by. Jaimie Branch's cause of death is still a secret to fans. . Cause Of Death Of Pro Football Hall Of Famer. No cause of death has been released . Definitions: Cause of death vs risk factors. "Thanks to Mark, I have a great life.". According to police his death was due to natural causes, based on an initial investigative report. [8] The Oakland Raiders released a statement that: "Jack was the standard bearer and an inspiration for the position of safety throughout college and professional football," while Ronnie Lott stated that Tatum was one of his "football heroes". [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. No cause of death has been released. This will populate Part 1 (a) of the certificate with the words 'Assisted Dying' as the Direct cause of death. On February 10, 2022, he was selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1971, he had 13 catches for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns along with 9 carries for 235 yards and 4 touchdowns. Wiki, Biography, Age, Parents, Swimmer, Net WorthContinue, James Alan Bouton was a former American professional baseball player. 2:30 am ET. 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. [5] He graduated from Colorado in 1972.[1]. Rest In Peace, Buddy. #CliffBranch @Raiders pic.twitter.com/AGtcoVDu6b, VILLAPIANO (@VillapianOk) August 4, 2019. Clifford Robinson's cause of death revealed - NBC Sports RSN. He has died at the age of 72. record for career receiving average is held by Homer Jones of the Giants and the Cleveland Browns, with 22.26.). A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Tatum was a unanimous All-American in 1969 and 1970. Davis released a short statement after Branch's death on Saturday. I will miss him dearly., "Cliff Was My Best Friend.. As a professional soccer player, he shone by playing about 540 national football matches and in a brief stint in Peruvian football, Read More Who is Ricardo Ciciliano? Branch, after receiving a call from his attorney, escaped with his life as homes burned in his neighborhood. In a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 24, 1972, he returned a fumble 104 yards for a touchdown. 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 . 45 all-time. Cliff Branch during a game in 1976. August 24, 2022. Cliff was a wide receiver with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders during his entire 14-year National Football League career. "It's hard to articulate," he said. Cliff Branch, the former Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver who was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams, died Saturday. Branch, who led the Raiders to three Super Bowl titles, died Saturday afternoon. . Cliff Branch's Career Stats: 8,685 receiving yards, 67 receiving . [14] He held the NFL career playoff records for receptions and receiving yards,[15] which stood until they were broken by Jerry Rice in 1993 and 1994, respectively, while with the San Francisco 49ers. Everyone talked about the big bad Raiders, John Madden, the teams head coach from 1969 to 1978, once said in an interview with NFL Films, but Branch was so skinny, his back pockets would fight when he walked., A memorial to those who lost their lives in 2019. He celebrated his birthday just two days earlier and moved into a hotel room in Arizona with some work. He played his entire 14-season career with the Raiders. [2] Tatum had said he attempted to visit Stingley in the hospital, but was rebuffed by Stingley's family. He graduated from San Jose State University with a BA degree in journalism. Branch had a remarkable stretch from 1974-1976. The death was ruled to be due to natural causes. The actor Cliff Simon's cause of death is announced as a Kiteboarding accident. Not only was he there, but he was also an important part of all three teams. Tatum was a first-team All-Big Ten in 1968, 1969 and 1970. [2] However, assistant coach Lou Holtz convinced Hayes to switch Tatum to defensive back during Tatum's freshman season. This is often regarded as one of the biggest hits in Super Bowl history. The three-time Super Bowl champion was 71 at the time of his death. Branch turned 71 on Thursday. In 1999, the Newark Star-Ledger named Tatum as one of New Jersey's top ten defensive players of the century. The cause of . 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. No specific cause was given. He is also known for a hit he made against New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley in a 1978 preseason game, that paralyzed Stingley from the chest down. [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. Cliff Branch, one of the Raiders' career-leading receivers who won three Super Bowls, has died. 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. Market data provided by Factset. Former Raiders Charles Woodson also mentioned the Hall of Fame snub. 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. Although Branch won't be around to see it, he could be immortalized as soon as next year. Aug 29, 2020. [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. The Air Force veteran and International athlete Cliff Simon suddenly died at 59 on Thursday, March 9. Going to miss those interactions with you., Rest In Peace to a true @Raiders Legend Cliff Branch. Cliff Branch was the epitome of what Al Davis coveted in a receiver during his decades running the Raiders. He made three consecutive All-Pro teams and averaged 19.7 yards per reception. The former Raiders receiver, though, died in 2019, three years before his induction into Canton . Jonathan Chimene. Aug 3, 2019. a year after his death. Previous article Cooper Burbank Height, Weight, Wiki, Age, Net Worth & More. Cleveland Browns vs New Orleans Saints weather report: What is the temperature at FirstEnergy stadium? Raiders | [12] Branch finished his NFL career with 501 receptions for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns. An Agile Workforces Best Desk Booking Software, Who is Yoel Roth? Branch also finished with an impressive career average of 17.3 yards per catch. Branch has longevity to his career and was also a big part of the team during the Jim Plunkett era. [8] Gene Upshaw, a teammate and future executive, described the hit as "one of those things that happens that everyone regrets". Thank you for Paving the way and youll never be forgotten. (Inductees are chosen by a committee made up largely of news media representatives. He always had nothing but a smile on his face every time I saw and always said I reminded him of himself. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV and XVIII. Another great player that wont be able to see himself inducted, Woodson tweeted. "[12], The Oakland Raiders were one of the more resilient teams of the 1970s, and Tatum's leadership was a major contributor. Wiki, Bio, Age, Boyfriend (Will Zalatoris), Who is Anastasia Pagonis? Former wide receiver Cliff Branch, who spent 14 seasons with the team, passed away on Saturday at the age of 71. Former Raiders WR Cliff Branch. 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. The wide receiver played a key role on all three of the Raiders' Super Bowl winning teams. / by Peter Socotch. ), 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. Branch catching a pass in January 1983 in a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns in Los Angeles. A death often results from the combined effect of two or more conditions. Jets Robert Saleh compares Derek Carr to Matthew Stafford, hypes veteran QBs elite mental makeup Part I is for reporting a chain of events leading . "His loss leaves an eternal void for the Raiders Family, but his kindness and loving nature will be fondly remembered forever. Cliff Branch, who played on three Super Bowl championship teams and played his entire 14-year with the Raiders, died Saturday, the club announced. Las Vegas, NV, USA. A US Coast Guard official told Insider that while they cannot confirm his cause of death at this time, a witness at the scene . Hes a Hall of Famer, he said of Branch. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. [4] He was ranked as the sixth hardest hitter in NFL history by NFL Films and was elected to three Pro Bowls. Boone updated his LinkedIn when he began working for News On 6 to express his excitement at being hired by the news station. Period., Cliff Branch, Raiders Elusive All-Pro Receiver, Dies at 71, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/sports/football/cliff-branch-raiders-dead.html. "Cliff was my best friend. Tatum's hitting style was well recognized in the 1970s, and his New York Times obituary stated Tatum was a "symbol of a violent game".[1]. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | NAPA Cliff Branch, who played on three Super Bowl championship teams and played his entire 14-year with the Raiders, died Saturday, the club confirmed. [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. Legal Statement. His loss leaves an eternal void for the Raiders Family, but his kindness and loving nature will be fondly remembered forever." 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, https://t.co/otUKfB2Ec4, Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 4, 2019. He excelled as a return specialist, running back eight kicks and punts for touchdowns in two seasons for a Colorado record that still stands. 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. Branchs death comes on the day a new class is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In the October 14 game against the San Diego Chargers, he caught his first touchdown pass, doing so on a pass from Ken Stabler in the 2717 win. Branch, wiry at 5 feet 11 and 170 pounds but remarkably durable, was one of professional footballs fastest players in his years with the Raiders, 1972 to 1985, first in Oakland, Calif., and later in Los Angeles. The relationship between Cliff Branch and his wife Barbara Branch was unbreakable and enduring. According to the Bullhead City Police Department . Cliff Branch Net Worth: $5 million. Click to reveal [2], He holds the record for the longest fumble return in NFL history. Legal Statement. Cliff Branch waited a long time to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tatum's most infamous hit came in an exhibition game against the New England Patriots on August 12, 1978, a play that Tatum later stated he did "thousands of times" in practice and in regular game coverage. He was 71. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents!