Former Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch dead at age 71

[Riverumbbq]

Associated Press 1 hour 6 minutes ago

FILE - In this Jan. 8, 1983, file photo Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch, right, catches a pass from quarterback Jim Plunkett for a 64-yard gain during the first quarter of a playoff game with the Cleveland Browns in Los Angeles. Branch, one of the Raiders’ career-leading receivers who won three Super Bowls, has died. He was 71. (AP Photo, File)

NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Cliff Branch, one of the Raiders' career-leading wide receivers who won three Super Bowls in 14 seasons with the franchise, has died. He was 71.

Branch was found dead Saturday in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Arizona, the city's police department said. It said an initial investigation revealed no foul play and that Branch died of natural causes.

"Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans," the Raiders said in a statement on their website. "His loss leaves an eternal void for the Raiders Family, but his kindness and loving nature will be fondly remembered forever."

One of the game's top deep threats from 1972 to 1985 in Oakland and Los Angeles, Branch was an All-Pro three straight seasons (1974-76) and made four Pro Bowls. He scored 67 touchdowns through the air, leading the NFL in TD receptions in 1974 with 13 and in 1076 with 12. Branch also had a league-high 1,092 yards receiving in 1974.

He was a force in the postseason, with 1,289 yards receiving. The Raiders won Super Bowls after the 1976, 1980 and 1983 seasons — the last one in Los Angeles, where the franchise moved in 1982 after protracted court fights before returning to the Bay Area in 1995.

In 1983, Branch tied the NFL record with a 99-yard touchdown catch in a regular-season game. He stands third among Raiders pass catchers in yards receiving with 8,685, trailing Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff — both Hall of Famers.

Branch was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004 and 2010.

"All my peers that I played against and that are in the Hall of Fame, they tell me that I deserve to be in the Hall of Fame," Branch told the Raiders' website in a recent interview. "It's the crowning glory, just like getting a Super Bowl ring."

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/former-raiders-wide-receiver-cliff-141752144.html

 

[Loyal]

Man, I’m feeling old.

 

[Karate61]

Branch had "style" on the field. He's one guy that was fun to watch.

 

[den-the-coach]

RIP to one of the fastest WR’s & it was an honor to watch him at his craft!

 

[den-the-coach]

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

Cliff Branch was the epitome of a 'home run' threat. Easily one of the fastest wide outs from his or any era.
He will be missed.

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[PhillyRam]

Just read that Don Banks, former SI writer, just died in his hotel in Canton this morning. Only 56 yrs old. Sad.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Was on all 3 Raider Super Bowl winning teams.... great career...

 

[Riverumbbq]

Just read that Don Banks, former SI writer, just died in his hotel in Canton this morning. Only 56 yrs old. Sad.

U.S.
Veteran NFL writer Don Banks dies at 56
Michael David Smith,ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports 1 hour 56 minutes ago


Don Banks, a journalist who covered the NFL for many years, died early this morning in Canton, Ohio, after covering the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony. He was 56.

Banks had just begun working for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and published his first piece in today’s paper. The story, an inside look at how last season’s Hard Knocks affected the Browns, was a well-reported, well-written article, as Banks’ work so often was.

“Words can’t express the depth of sadness the Review-Journal staff feels for Don’s family and friends,” Review-Journal Executive Editor Glenn Cook said Sunday. “Beyond a sportswriting institution, Don was a dedicated husband and father and a class act. No NFL journalist commanded more respect. The sport has lost one of its finest storytellers.”

Banks covered the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday and the induction of new Hall of Famers on Saturday night and appeared healthy and excited about beginning his new job at the Review-Journal, according to colleagues. This morning he was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Canton. Paramedics arrived and found that he had died in his sleep.

A well-liked and respected reporter, Banks worked at several outlets in his long career but is best known for his 17 years at Sports Illustrated.

He is survived by his wife and two adult sons.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/veteran-nfl-writer-don-banks-225418730.html