According to police his death was due to natural causes, based on an initial investigative report. The death was ruled to be due to natural causes. 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. As a kid, He, Read More David Montgomery Bio, Wiki, Age, Death, Profile, Wife, Net WorthContinue, Caitlyn Sellers Wiki Caitlyn Sellers Bio According toCaitlyn Sellers Bio, Wiki, and Biography,She is the girlfriend of American golfer Will Zalatoris. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 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. [2] Tatum had said he attempted to visit Stingley in the hospital, but was rebuffed by Stingley's family. He is considered a candidate for induction in 2020, when as many as 20 candidates could be inducted during the NFLs 100th anniversary as a way to ease the logjam of worthy candidates. He has died at the age of 72. David Montgomery Biography David Montgomery was born on 26 June 1946 and died on 8 May 2019. There was an awkward collision as Stingley lowered his helmet to protect himself and hit Tatum's shoulder pad. Davis was so close to Branch that back in 1980, he went to battle with his father to ensure that the wide receiver got a proper contract. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The wide receiver played a key role on all three of the Raiders' Super Bowl winning teams. 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. All rights reserved. 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. Cliff Branch during a game in 1976. . RIP CLIFF BRANCH 21, Jacoby Ford (@JacobyFord12) August 4, 2019. Branch currently has the third most receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches in Raiders history. 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. 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. 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. In a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 24, 1972, he returned a fumble 104 yards for a touchdown. Death and Cause. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Branch spent each of his 14 NFL seasons with the Raiders and it resulted in an impressive statistical career. (The N.F.L. [5] He graduated from Colorado in 1972.[1]. It returned to the Bay Area in 1995. Powered by. Cliff Branch is being enshrined Saturday, but that's not enough for Raiders owner Mark Davis. [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. 1973 was slightly better, as he caught 19 catches for 290 yards in total for three touchdowns. The Air Force veteran and International athlete Cliff Simon suddenly died at 59 on Thursday, March 9. 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? Those guys were just afraid that hed blow by them, and, ultimately, he would blow by them.. 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. He has died at the age of 71. With him its not running, its flying, the Raiders owner Al Davis once said. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1972. Former Raiders WR great Cliff Branch has passed away. Its the crowning glory, just like getting a Super Bowl ring., The Raiders organization concurred after his death, declaring in a statement, Cliffs on-field accomplishments are well documented and undeniably Hall of Fame worthy.. Visit Raiders.com for more. In 1999, the Newark Star-Ledger named Tatum as one of New Jersey's top ten defensive players of the century. 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. Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, TikTok, Instagram, Fernando Torres: A Biography of One of Spains Greatest Ever Strikers, lionel messi argentine footballer Biography, nambi narayanan indian engineer biography. said Branch had died of natural causes. 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. Caitlin, Read More Who is Caitlyn Sellers? Cliff Branchs Career Stats: 8,685 receiving yards, 67 receiving touchdowns, 501 receptions. There is no way Cliff Branch should not be in the Hall of Fame, Al Davis told reporters at the 2009 NFL owners meetings. I Will Miss Him Dearly" -MD-, Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) August 4, 2019. Branch scored 67 touchdowns through the air, leading the National Football League in touchdown receptions in 1974 with 13 and in 1976 with 12. [1] Upon hearing of his death, Tressel said, "We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes."[3]. acceptable if another cause of death in a, b, or c requires referral to the coroner. No cause of death has been released . No cause of death has been released. Date of Death: August 3, 2019. Rest In Peace, Buddy. #CliffBranch @Raiders pic.twitter.com/AGtcoVDu6b, VILLAPIANO (@VillapianOk) August 4, 2019. Robinson's Cause of Death Was Lymphoma. If you want to play football for a living, you're going to get injured."[2][6]. [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. He was one of the most feared deep threats in pro football. 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. Branch had just turned 71 on Thursday. [7] The impact severely damaged Stingley's spinal cord and left him with incomplete quadriplegia for the rest of his life. 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 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. In who, and how much, do you believe, Darryl? In their own words: 'each death is attributed to a single underlying cause the cause that initiated the series of . Another great player that wont be able to see himself inducted, Woodson tweeted. The news of the wise NFL legend's passing surprised and saddened the entire planet. "[12], The Oakland Raiders were one of the more resilient teams of the 1970s, and Tatum's leadership was a major contributor. "Cliff Branch touched the lives of . 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. An initial investigation showed the death to be natural causes, the report . In 2011, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Branch to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2011.[21]. Three years later, he got his . 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. No specific cause was given. "Cliff Was My Best Friend.. He was a first-team All-Pro for three consecutive seasons from 1974-76. Entire organization in mourning. Davis was kicked out of the house because of the ordeal and didnt speak to his dad for a period. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. 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 . The three-time Super Bowl champion was 71 at the time of his death. , , , Tunisha Sharma , . . Branch died of natural causes. He graduated from San Jose State University with a BA degree in journalism. . Cliff Branch was not about to be denied that end zone." . Tatum collided with Fuqua, knocking the ball into the air. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28a9b75f05f170 Branch was considered one of the greatest deep threats in NFL history and was a big part of all three of the teams Super Bowl runs. This is often regarded as one of the biggest hits in Super Bowl history. 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. 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. Stabler, despite being . [4][8] The National Football League took no disciplinary action for the tackle; however, the NFL would later tighten its rules on violent hits. [2] In 2001, Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel instituted the "Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award", given to the player who had the most impressive defensive hit of the game. "Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans," the team said in a statement. He was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL Draft after playing college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. Skip twitter post by 7 News Sydney He was 71. [4] He was ranked as the sixth hardest hitter in NFL history by NFL Films and was elected to three Pro Bowls. 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. Hall of Fame 2022 remembers him as one of the finest players in NHL history. He was a second-round pick (36th overall) by the Trail . Fox News Flash top headlines for August 4. Branchs legend will remain forever in the hearts of Raiders fans. [2] They were supposed to meet once in a television interview, but Stingley backed out when he found out Tatum was promoting his new autobiography during the interview. [12] Branch finished his NFL career with 501 receptions for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns. But everyone will die. 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. "It was a test of my faith, the entire story. This is my last track meet since I expect to sign a pro contract with the Oakland Raiders within the next two weeks. 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. All Rights Reserved. Cause of death. He also recovered nine fumbles in his career, returning them for 164 yards. Former Raiders WR Cliff Branch. I will miss him dearly," Davis said. 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. The underlying cause of death is the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly or indirectly to death or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury. Part II Causes in Part II are other significant conditions contributing to the death, but not directly related to the disease or the condition causing it. As for the Hall of Fame, Branch had been hoping to get in while he was still alive. He had a league-high 1,092 yards receiving in 1974. [2] The Raiders crushed the Vikings, 3214.[1]. [8] He soon lost the entire leg below the knee because of the illness. Local police later revealed that Branch had died from natural causes. Cliff Branch's Career Stats: 8,685 receiving yards, 67 receiving . 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. He led the league in receiving yards in 1974 and in receiving touchdowns in 1974 and 1976. According to the Bullhead City, Arizona, police department, Branch was found dead at 3:40 p.m. in a . -MD-. 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. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Performance & security by Cloudflare. February 10, 2022 7:07 pm PT. Owner Al Davis' campaign for Branch to make the Hall of Fame preceded his death in 2011. A native of Houston, Branch caught 501 passes for more than 8,600 yards and 67 touchdowns. F. The 6-foot-10 big man played at UConn from 1985-89, where he helped the Huskies win the 1988 NIT. 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 Whenever you saw me you would always tell me how much you loved the way I played the game. On August 24, 2021, Branch was posthumously selected as the seniors finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022. He was a wide receiver and a key player for the NFLs Oakland Raiders during their glory years of the 1970s and early 1980s. Buy Raiders Tickets. on. [19], Branch played for the Los Angeles Cobras of the Arena Football League in 1988, their only season of existence. 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 For full obituary and coverage from . His duties include a concentration on the NFL and Major League Baseball. A death often results from the combined effect of two or more conditions. Tatum was born in Cherryville, North Carolina, and grew up in Passaic, New Jersey, where he had little interest in playing sports in his early years. [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. Branch also finished with an impressive career average of 17.3 yards per catch. [3][4] According to Madden, "It was something that ate on him for his whole life. 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. He averaged 17.3 yards per reception for his career, which has him tied for No. 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. Get Yourself Outfitted With the Best Tactical Gear 101! It is important to understand what is meant by the cause of death and the risk factor associated with a premature death:. During his time with the Raiders, Branch became close with team owner Mark Davis -- before Davis actually owned the team. 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 . [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. On August 3, 2019, Branch was found dead in a hotel room in Arizona's Bullhead City. 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. In my heart and mind, I forgave Jack Tatum a long time ago. 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. Laser Tattoo Removal Benefits: What Are They? NAPA, Calif. Cliff Branch, a CU Buffs great and one of the Raiders' career-leading wide receivers who won three Super Bowls in 14 seasons with the franchise, has died. career with the team. An Agile Workforces Best Desk Booking Software, Who is Yoel Roth? The receiver also caught 73 postseason passes, which ranks as the 10th highest total of all-time. And it's been 2.5 years since his unexpected passing at the age of 71. He was selected a high school All-American as a senior. "Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans. 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 . He was 71. 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. 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 was 71. The label said in a statement: "Jaimie was a . Boone updated his LinkedIn when he began working for News On 6 to express his excitement at being hired by the news station. A case can be made that Branch belongs there as well. 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. Immediate cause of death:The final disease or injury causing the death. [4] A few weeks later, Tatum signed a three-year, six-figure contract with a $50,000 signing bonus. 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. 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 . 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. Former Raiders Charles Woodson also mentioned the Hall of Fame snub. Clifford Robinson's cause of death revealed - NBC Sports RSN. Especially in 1976 when he put up 1,111 receiving yards and caught 12 touchdowns in the regular season. [14], Tatum was honored by Passaic High School during their 2008 season. Cliff Branch died on 3 August 2019, two days after his 71st birthday. Cliff won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV, and XVII. 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.". Branch lived in the Bay Area and did charity work for the Raiders organization in later years. He was 71. Clifford Branch Jr. was born on Aug. 1, 1948, in Houston. Follow the Heavy Oakland Raiders page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content! John David Tatum (November 18, 1948 July 27, 2010) was an American football safety. . . Cliff Branch, who played on three Super Bowl championship teams and played his entire 14-year with the Raiders, died Saturday, the club announced. 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. He first became known to college football observers as a sophomore when he helped limit All-American Leroy Keyes during a 130 upset against the Purdue Boilermakers during the early part of the 1968 season.[3]. Cliff Branch, a former world-class sprinter who was one of the N.F.L.s top deep threats, winning three Super Bowls in 14 seasons with the Raiders, was found dead on Saturday in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Ariz. His cause of death was not immediately known, and the Raiders confirmed his passing in a tweet from owner Mark Davis. Branch finished his career with 1,289 receiving yards in the playoffs, which ranks fourth all-time. She is best-known to have signed for International Anthem on which she released two solo albums. Although his career got off to a slow start, Branch exploded on to the scene during his third season with the team. On February 10, 2022, he was selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "It's hard to articulate," he said. It was his only catch in the 3735 loss, but he remains the only Raider to catch a 99-yard pass. 2:25. Cliff Branch Bio: He was an American professional football player, who died on today 3 August 2019. Local police later revealed that Branch had died from natural causes.