Cliff Branch

Cliff Branch, a 5’11”, 170-pound wide receiver out of Colorado, was selected in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, where he spent his entire 14 season career. Not only was Branch a standout on the football team at Colorado, but he was also a world-class sprinter who set an NCAA championship meet record with a 10-second 100-meter dash in 1972. 

Known for his speed and agility, Branch became a dominating receiver during the 1970s. His breakout year came in 1974, when he led the League with 1,092 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. His next season surpassing 1,000 receiving yards came in 1976 (1,111) – for that era and the style of play, compiling two seasons with more than 1,000 yards was considered a feat.  

Branch’s career stats include 501 catches for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns in 182 regular-season games. He led the Raiders in receiving yards six times (1974-76, 1979-1980, 1982) and in touchdown receptions five times (1974-77, 1982). When he retired following the 1985 season, he held several Raiders team records, among them the longest reception (99 yards from Jim Plunkett at Washington on Oct. 2, 1983) and most games (22) with 100 or more receiving yards.

The Raiders dominated the AFC in the 1970s and early 1980s, earning a spot in seven AFC Championship Games (1973-77, 1980 and 1983) over 11 years. Branch helped lead the team to three Super Bowl appearances – XI, XV and XVIII – with a victory in each. 

Branch is recalled as one of the game’s top postseason performers. In 22 playoff games, he caught 73 passes for 1,289 yards (17.7 average) – both NFL records at the time of his retirement. He also scored five career postseason touchdowns – two coming in the 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV.  

In his career, Branch received first-team All-Pro nods three times (1974-76) and was voted to four Pro Bowls (1975-77, 1978).