career with the team. ), 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. . This will populate Part 1 (a) of the certificate with the words 'Assisted Dying' as the Direct cause of death. (The last title came while the team was located in Los Angeles. [2][4] Tatum became part owner of a restaurant in Pittsburg, California. [3][4] According to Madden, "It was something that ate on him for his whole life. Wiki, Bio, Age, Boyfriend (Will Zalatoris), Who is Anastasia Pagonis? Related Articles [10][11] He finished his pro career with them, playing all 16 games that year, and recorded a career-high seven interceptions to finish with a career total of 37 interceptions with 736 return yards. [2] However, assistant coach Lou Holtz convinced Hayes to switch Tatum to defensive back during Tatum's freshman season. According to police, his death was due to natural causes, based on an initial investigation report. Legendary Raiders wide reciever Cliff Branch has died at the age of 71, the Raiders confirmed in a statement on Saturday. 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. RIP CLIFF BRANCH 21, Jacoby Ford (@JacobyFord12) August 4, 2019. Cliff Branch waited a long time to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rob Babcock Biography, Age, Death, Family, Net Worth, David Montgomery Bio, Wiki, Age, Death, Profile, Wife, Net Worth, Who is Caitlyn Sellers? Previous article Cooper Burbank Height, Weight, Wiki, Age, Net Worth & More. "I am going into my 25th year of being a television meteorologist," he wrote. Police in Bullhead City, Ariz., say Branch was found dead in a hotel room Saturday. Cliff Branch was the epitome of what Al Davis coveted in a receiver during his decades running the Raiders. [7] In his 22 games as a receiver in the postseason, it was the first of three 100-yard games and it was the most catches he had in said game. August 24, 2022. He stands third among Raiders pass catchers in yards receiving with 8,685, trailing Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff both Hall of Famers. [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. Quincy Williams or JuJu Smith-Schuster: Who is the better grinch. To facilitate this goal, he created the Ohio-based Jack Tatum Fund for Youthful Diabetes, which finances diabetes research. He led the league in receiving yards in 1974 and in receiving touchdowns in 1974 and 1976. Raiders | [4] He also suffered from an arterial blockage that cost him his right leg; he used a prosthetic limb thereafter. Branch placed 5th in the final with 10.1, and he said "My goal has always been to win the NCAA 100 meter championship. Legal Statement. In a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 24, 1972, he returned a fumble 104 yards for a touchdown. 1&2." He played 10 seasons, from 1971 through 1980, with the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers in the National Football League (NFL). 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. Former Raider Jacoby Ford was like many Raiders receivers who were also track athletes and compared to Branch. In 1971, he had 13 catches for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns along with 9 carries for 235 yards and 4 touchdowns. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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]. He was 71. 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 August 24, 2021, Branch was posthumously selected as the seniors finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022. 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. The relationship between Cliff Branch and his wife Barbara Branch was unbreakable and enduring. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Whenever you saw me you would always tell me how much you loved the way I played the game. Branchs legend will remain forever in the hearts of Raiders fans. The only two players hes behind in yards, touchdowns and receptions are Hall-of-Famers Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff. Three years later, he got his . NAPA, Calif. -- Cliff Branch, a four-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro receiver with the Raiders, has died, the team announced Saturday. 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. Jets Robert Saleh compares Derek Carr to Matthew Stafford, hypes veteran QBs elite mental makeup Tatum was also noted for his involvement in the Immaculate Reception play during a 1972 playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. "[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. Zalatoris is dating Caitlyn Sellers, but the couple has tried to maintain a low profile as his golf career has taken off. Former wide receiver Cliff Branch, who spent 14 seasons with the team, passed away on Saturday at the age of 71. On August 3, 2019, Branch was found dead in a hotel room in Arizona's Bullhead City. Fox News Flash top headlines for August 4. [14], Tatum was honored by Passaic High School during their 2008 season. Cliff branch cause of death - Champ bailey - WR Cliff Branch, legend of Raiders, dies at 71 - Cliff Branch - how did cliff branch dieNAPA, Calif. - Cliff Br. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Branch was born on Aug. 1, 1948, in Houston, Texas, where he starred in high school and at Wharton Junior College. We love you you. "Thanks to Mark, I have a great life.". His loss leaves an eternal void for the Raiders Family, but his kindness and loving nature will be fondly remembered forever. 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. 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. Davis was kicked out of the house because of the ordeal and didnt speak to his dad for a period. With 22 seconds left in the game, Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass to running back John "Frenchy" Fuqua. In 1999, the Newark Star-Ledger named Tatum as one of New Jersey's top ten defensive players of the century. [20], He was a nominee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was a semifinalist in 2004 and 2010. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. He has died at the age of 71. [5] Richmond, an Oakland journalist and insider, wrote about Tatum's quiet demeanor off the field, which was contrary to most journalistic reports about Tatum. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, . Cliff Branch, who played on three Super Bowl championship teams and played his entire 14-year with the Raiders, died Saturday, the club announced. 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. Branch's sister, Elaine Anderson, selected Davis to present her brother, who will enter the Hall of Fame in Canton this Summer. The 71-year-old had even gotten some advice from John Madden. He was one of the most feared deep threats in pro football. Caitlin, Read More Who is Caitlyn Sellers? section: | slug: raiders-legend-cliff-branch-dies-at-age-71-on-field-work-well-documented-and-undeniably-hall-of-fame-worthy | sport: football | route: article_single.us | Number of deaths per year: 154,596 Percent of total deaths: 5.6 percent More common among: women; people over age 65; people with a history of smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke Branch, who spent his entire career with the Raiders, ended up retiring following the 1985 season. For people 5-24, accidents (over a third of which are drug overdoses) are the leading cause of death, followed by suicide and homicide. The Raiders have not won a Super Bowl since. [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. I will miss him dearly, Mark Davis said in the first statement released by the team. When Branch died unexpectedly of natural causes in August of 2019 at age 71, many Raiders, including quarterback Derek Carr, . ), 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. 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. Branchs passing was recognized by the team on the Raiders web site: Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans. He had a league-high 1,092 yards receiving in 1974. Cliff Branch died on 3 August 2019, two days after his 71st birthday. According to the Bullhead City Police Department in Arizona, Branch died of natural causes at approximately 3:40 p.m. in a hotel room. In 2011, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Branch to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2011.[21]. L. He was 71. 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. Click to reveal An initial investigation showed the death to be natural causes, the report said. Robinson's Cause of Death Was Lymphoma. [1] Upon hearing of his death, Tressel said, "We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes."[3]. 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. 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. He is survived by his son Brent. Considering he came from a time where the passing game wasnt what it is today, thats incredibly impressive. "Cliff Was My Best Friend.. Cliff Branch died on 3 August 2019, two days after his 71st birthday. 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. I Will Miss Him Dearly" -MD-, Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) August 4, 2019. "He only represented one person, and he did a hell of a job. He was 71. No specific cause was given. Raider Nation was dealt a devasting blow with the announcement that Cliff Branch has passed away. Cleveland Browns vs New Orleans Saints weather report: What is the temperature at FirstEnergy stadium? Date of Death: August 3, 2019. Branch catching a pass in January 1983 in a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns in Los Angeles. He was 71. Cliff Branch Death & Cause. Social media risk-taking culture varies by nation . 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. According to police, his death was due to natural causes, based on an initial investigative report. 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]. Among the many people hit hard by Branchs death, Raiders owner Mark Davis offered a strong and touching response. Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Twitter, Instagram, Who is Veronica Merritt? Cliff was a native of Houston, he caught 501 passes for more than 8,600 yards and 67 touchdowns. Unfortunately for Branch, his quest to make it to the Hall of Fame didnt happen during his lifetime. Few teams revere their alumni the way the Raiders do, so this is absolutely heartbreaking news for the Silver and Black. Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) August 4, 2019. The only player that can say that is Cliff Branch. Cliff Branch, one of the Raiders' career-leading receivers who won three Super Bowls, has died. 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. 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. His body was found in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Arizona. [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 has been a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame twice (2004, 2010), but he's never made it past that round of voting. The leading cause of death while taking selfies is drowning, followed by transportation (trains and cars), and then falling from high places. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The referees ruled that Tatum had touched the ball and therefore Harris's touchdown was permitted, allowing the Steelers to win the game. Wiki, Bio, Age, Boyfriend (Will Zalatoris)Continue, Anastasia Pagonis Wiki Anastasia Pagonis Biogrpahy Anastasia Pagonis is a blind athlete swimmer of Team USA. Because of his fun-loving and jovial nature, Branch was one of the most popular Raiders among former players. Underlying cause of death: A disease or condition present before, and leading to, the intermediate or immediate cause of death. "It was a test of my faith, the entire story. Death and Cause. 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 . Davis had to cancel a trip to Las Vegas so that he can mourn properly, as Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal revealed. Statement from Raiders begins: "Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans. 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 . You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The receiver also caught 73 postseason passes, which ranks as the 10th highest total of all-time. 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 . He was able to hammer out a deal with his dad and got me a lifetime contract with the Raiders," Branch said in 2016, via the Las Vegas Review Journal. The incident occurred on Sept. 27 at approximately 1:48 p.m. when . at 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 label said in a statement: "Jaimie was a . Fall from cliff : Acc . Accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 25-44, followed by suicide and cancer. Hed stretch the defense. Required fields are marked *. 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. Team owner Mark Davis canceled plans to attend a Las Vegas function tonight upon learning news, per @johnnykats. Keep up-to-date on all things Raiders: Subscribe: rdrs.co/youtube Follow: Twitter.com/Raiders Like: Facebook.com/Raiders Shop at Raider Image: rdrs.co/shop Start, #7 Cliff Branch | Top 10: Fastest Players | NFL Films, Cliff Branch was one of the fastest players to ever set foot on an NFL field. "Cliff Branch touched the lives of . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe.