Marlin Briscoe, 1st Black starting QB in AFL, dies at 76
Source: AP
By CLIFF BRUNT
Marlin Briscoe, who became the first Black starting quarterback in the American Football League more than 50 years ago, died Monday.
His daughter, Angela Marriott, told The Associated Press that Briscoe, 76, died of pneumonia at a hospital in Norwalk, California. He had been hospitalized with circulation issues in his legs.
Briscoe, an Omaha, Nebraska, native, was a star quarterback for Omaha University before the Denver Broncos drafted him as a cornerback in the 14th round in 1968. Briscoe told the team he’d return home to become a teacher if he couldn’t get a tryout at quarterback. Denver agreed to an audition, and the 5-foot-10 dynamo nicknamed “The Magician” nearly rallied the Broncos to victory as a reserve against the Boston Patriots on Sept. 29 before earning the historic start on Oct. 6.
“He’s made an immense contribution to the sport,” Marriott said. “I hope that he continues to get recognized for the contributions that he made. He was so proud of that achievement.”
FILE - St. Louis Cardinals football player Marlin Briscoe (86) is shown in August 1975. Marlin Briscoe, the first Black starting quarterback in the American Football League, died Monday, June 27, 2022. His daughter, Angela Marriott, told The Associated Press that Briscoe, 76, died of pneumonia at a hospital in Norwalk, California. (AP Photo/File)
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-miami-dolphins-nfl-sports-nebraska-f150758fd9b74fcb26de841621077df1
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Took so long to get black starting QBs after him and it continues to be a struggle to break that granite ceiling, let alone harassing the hell out of them (as I watch them doing that here in Philly with Jalen Hurts, a 23 year old "kid" who the pundits expect should be playing like a 27 year old vet 
).
R.I.P. and hope he is in a better place now...
