Cliff Branch

Cliff Branch
Jbmcint1 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Cliff Branch
Number	20
Position	Wide receiver
Birth date	June 1, 1948
Birth place	Houston, Texas, U.S.
Death date	November 3, 2019
Height in	11
Weight lb	175
College	Colorado
Draftyear	1972
Draftpick	104
Teams	Oakland Raiders (1972–1985)
Highlights	AFC champion (1976, 1980), Super Bowl champion (XV), 3× Pro Bowl (1974, 1975, 1977)
Hof	2022

Cliff Branch was an American professional football wide receiver best known for his speed and playmaking with the Oakland Raiders during the 1970s and 1980s. A standout at the University of Colorado Boulder, he became a key figure in multiple AFC Championship Game runs and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Branch's career intersected with notable figures and events across National Football League history, including several postseason classics and the evolution of the modern passing game.

Early life and college career

Born in Houston, Branch attended Lamar High School (Houston) where he excelled in American football and track and field, attracting attention from major college programs such as University of Colorado Boulder, University of Texas at Austin, and Southern Methodist University. At Colorado he played for the Colorado Buffaloes football program under coach Eddie Crowder while competing in the Big Eight Conference and training with staff connected to NCAA Division I athletics. Branch's collegiate achievements included leading the Buffaloes in receiving and setting school speed marks that drew interest from NFL Scouting Combine scouts, the National Football League community, and media outlets like the Associated Press and United Press International.

Professional football career

Drafted in the 1972 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, Branch joined a roster featuring stars such as Ken Stabler, Gene Upshaw, and Fred Biletnikoff and contributed to the franchise's appearances in the AFC Championship Game and multiple Super Bowl seasons. Under head coaches John Madden and later Tom Flores, Branch became a primary deep threat in offenses influenced by evolving schemes from the West Coast offense proponents and traditional pro-style offense coordinators. His postseason performances included pivotal roles in playoff games against franchises like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers across matchups staged at venues including the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum and Rose Bowl.

Playing style and statistics

Branch's playing style combined elite acceleration with route-running precision, traits compared to receivers such as Bob Hayes, Lynn Swann, and Randy Moss, and he was often deployed on go routes, screens, and reverses in formations influenced by coaches like Hank Stram and contemporaries in the NFL receiver corps. Statistically he amassed over 5,000 receiving yards and more than 60 touchdown receptions in regular season play while setting postseason records for receptions and receiving yards that stood for decades before being challenged by players from teams including the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and San Francisco 49ers. Advanced metrics assembled by analysts at outlets like Pro Football Reference, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated highlighted Branch's yards-per-catch averages and explosive play frequency relative to peers from the 1970s in sports and the 1980s in sports.

Honors and legacy

Branch earned selections to the Pro Bowl and received All-Pro recognition in seasons when the Raiders captured AFC West titles and the 1980 Super Bowl XV championship, joining a lineage of Raiders honored alongside figures such as Marcus Allen and Howie Long. His contributions were later recognized with induction into team halls and, ultimately, the Pro Football Hall of Fame during a class that included contemporaries from franchises such as the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. Historians and commentators at institutions like the Pro Football Hall of Fame, NFL Network, and publications such as The Sporting News and ESPN have cited Branch when tracing the development of receiver roles and the Raiders' cultural impact linked to owners like Al Davis.

Personal life and post-retirement

Off the field, Branch's life connected with organizations and communities in California, Colorado, and Texas, where he participated in alumni events for the Oakland Raiders and University of Colorado Boulder and engaged with charities affiliated with groups such as the NFL Players Association and local foundations. He maintained relationships with former teammates including Dave Dalby, Jack Tatum, and coaches from the Raiders' staff, and made appearances on broadcasts and at events run by entities like ESPN and the NFL Network. Post-retirement business and community pursuits brought him into contact with civic institutions and media outlets including NBC Sports and regional newspapers like the Oakland Tribune.

Death and memorials

Branch died on November 3, 2019, prompting statements from the Las Vegas Raiders, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and media organizations such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and ESPN that recounted his playing career and impact on postseason history. Memorials and tributes were held at venues associated with the Raiders and the University of Colorado Boulder, with fellow players and coaches from the Pro Football Hall of Fame community, former opponents from teams like the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, and broadcasters from outlets such as CBS Sports participating in commemorations.

Category:American football wide receivers Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Category:Oakland Raiders players Category:Colorado Buffaloes football players