Former NFL player Marlin Briscoe died on June 27 in Norwalk, California of pneumonia. He was 76 years old. The “Magician” as he was called, was a college football Hall of Famer, two-time Super Bowl Champion, and Pro-Bowl wide receiver. I was visiting Omaha, Nebraska over the weekend, and fans, friends, and family of Marlin’s held a celebration of life for him on Saturday night.
Ex-NFL player Johnny Rodgers and actor John Beasley lauded him for his contributions on and off the gridiron. The mayor of Omaha proclaimed the day as Marlin Briscoe Memorial Day. And the rest of the sports world hardly noticed.
Which was a pity because besides being a first-class athlete and a model citizen in life, Marlin was a trailblazer for racial justice. He broke a barrier that few people remember, but many have benefited from. Here is his story.
Early Athletic Success
Marlin Briscoe was born in Oakland, California on September 10, 1945. At the age of four, his family moved to a South Omaha housing project that had also produced star athletes Bob Gibson and Gale Sayers. Marlin would go on to become a two-sport star at South Omaha High School. While playing quarterback and running back, Marlin led his team to the city championship. He was also a standout on the basketball court.
Also, in an early sign of his leadership abilities, he was the first African American elected to the school’s student council. And in his senior year, he was elected president of the student council. At the end of his senior year, Marlin accepted partial football, basketball, and academic scholarships to attend Omaha University (later called the University of Nebraska Omaha).
At Omaha U, Marlin Briscoe would excel in both football and basketball. As a quarterback, Marlin set 22 season and career passing records. For these accomplishments, he was selected as the First Team Quarterback on the 1967 NAIA All-American team. Pro football scouts noticed his excellence as he was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 14th round of the 1968 AFL Football Draft.
History in the Making
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The Broncos wanted Marlin to play cornerback, but he still had dreams of being an NFL quarterback. He negotiated a clause in his contract that stated he would get a tryout as a quarterback. During the tryout, Marlin did not get as many throws as the other quarterbacks, but he matched the probable starter, Steve Tensi in distance and accuracy. Still, after the tryout, he was sent back to the defensive back unit.
But Tensi broke his collarbone in training camp, the Broncos struggled, and after two games, they were 0-2. After the second loss, Marlin was told by coach Lou Saban that he would be the backup for the game coming up against the Boston Patriots.
Denver fell behind 20-10 against the Patriots, when in the fourth quarter, Marlin entered the game at quarterback. The Broncos ended up losing the game 20-17, but Marlin threw a touchdown pass and played well overall. This set the stage for a historic moment with Marlin Briscoe at the center of it all.
Marlin was named the starter for the Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He did not believe that Saban had faith in him, but he persevered through the tension. But Marlin did start the game and in doing so, became the first African American to start at quarterback in a professional football game.
Disappointment Following Achievement
Marvin played well the rest of the season throwing 14 touchdown passes and finishing second in the Rookie of the Year ballot to Cincinnati running back Paul Robinson. But during the offseason, it was clear that Saban did not intend to give Marlin a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job. He was not invited to an off-season quarterback camp by Saban and Marlin asked to be traded.
No NFL or AFL team made Marlin an offer, and he suspected that the leagues may be trying to boycott him. Marlin first tried out with the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League and the tryout went well. But he still wanted to play in the NFL or AFL. He finally signed with the Buffalo Bills, who unfortunately already had a quality starting quarterback in Jack Kemp. So, Marlin was brought on to play either wide receiver or defensive back.
Marlin Briscoe Mentors James Harris
While at Buffalo, Marlin Briscoe had the chance to mentor and inspire another groundbreaking quarterback. James Harris had been drafted by the Bills out of Grambling State University, partially based on Marlin’s performance as the quarterback of the Broncos.
Later in his career as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Harris would become the first African American to start a season opener at quarterback for a professional football team. He also would become the first African American to start and win a playoff game. His “firsts,” also included him being named the first African American to start a Pro Bowl game. And he did not only start the game but he was also named the MVP of the contest.
Marlin Briscoe would go on to have a successful NFL career. In 1970, he became an All-Pro receiver for the Bills and represented them at the Pro-Bowl that year. He would go on to be a key member of the Miami Dolphins Super Bowl-winning teams in the early 70s. Marlin would go on to play for three more NFL teams before retiring as a member of the New England Patriots in 1976.
Troubled Years
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Marlin moved to Los Angeles, where he became a successful financial broker. But the memory of not getting a chance to become a full-time NFL quarterback would continue to haunt him. He eventually became addicted to cocaine and his life spiraled out of control.
One of the lowest points of this period was sitting in prison watching Doug Williams play in the 1986 Super Bowl. With this appearance, Williams became the first African American quarterback to start in a Super Bowl. After several arrests, Marlin Briscoe borrowed $500 from former Hall of Fame receiver Lance Alworth to get out of jail for the last time. He went cold turkey and never used drugs again.
Marlin Briscoe Gives Back to the Community
Marlin became active in his church and gained employment with the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach California. He worked there for 10 years retiring as their executive director. He also mentored prospective and current NFL Black quarterbacks as part of a group known as the Field Generals. This group consisted of himself, Warren Moon, James Harris, Doug Williams, Vince Evans, and Randall Cunningham.
Marlin Briscoe was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016. There is a push now to get him inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the contributor section. I believe in honor of his legacy as a true Civil Rights trailblazer, this award is long overdue.