NFL Legend Marlin Briscoe Cause of Death, Revealed

Marlin Briscoe blazed the trail for aspiring African American football players when he became the first Black starting quarterback in the American Football League (AFL) before it merged with the NFL. Sadly, the football legend passed away last Monday, according to his daughter, Angela Marriott. He was 76.

Daughter Talks About Marlin Briscoe's Cause of Death

Angela Marriott talked to Associated Press about her late father. She said Marlin Briscoe passed away due to pneumonia while inside a hospital in Norwalk, California. According to Marriott, he was hospitalized with circulation issues with his legs.

Nicknamed the "Magician," Briscoe made an "immense contribution to the sport," says Mariott. She then added that she hopes that he continues to get recognized for his contributions. Marriott also said that her father was so proud of those said achievements.

Marlin Briscoe Had a Storied Football Career, From College to the AFL to the NFL

Briscoe showed greatness early in his long football career as he set 22 school records for Omaha University. As a college player, he won his school three consecutive conference titles, according to Yahoo! News. Briscoe would later be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

It would not be long before the NFL came knocking, as the Denver Broncos would draft Briscoe in the 14th round of the 1968 draft. They selected him as a cornerback or receiver, but Briscoe reportedly told the team he wouldn't play unless they let him try out as a quarterback; and that cemented his place in sports history.

When Broncos starting QB Steve Tensi suffered a broken collarbone early in the season, Biscoe broke out. The following week, he made history as the first Black starting quarterback in the AFL as he played in the starting lineup for the Broncos and defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 10-7.

He only had five games as a starter that season, but that was enough to make him historic. He finished that season with 224 total pass attempts and tallied 1,589 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

However, after that season, the Broncos did not give him that position again. ESPN reports that because of this, he asked for his release before getting picked up by the Buffalo Bills.

Unfortunately, he would never play as quarterback again as he played eight more seasons in the NFL. However, his most historic stint would come soon as he played for the Miami Dolphins, with which he won two Super Bowls.

While his role as a Denver Broncos quarterback was not really as impressive, his entire career as a football player, as well as him being the first black QB, was history-making. He blazed a trail for future African American quarterbacks, as well as others vying for that position.

NFL and Denver Broncos React to Briscoe's Passing

The NFL mourned his loss in a tweet, saying that Briscoe was a pioneer and that his legacy will live on forever.

The Broncos also released a statement, offering condolences to the Briscoe family.

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Marlin Briscoe 1968 Highlights - Denver Broncos Archive