Cliff Branch had 165 more catches, 3,223 yards, and 16 more touchdowns than Swann. CLIFF BRANCH Branch, Clifford, Jr. Raiders Great Cliff Branch Again Denied Pro Football Hall of Fame . Raiders shut out of Hall of Fame centennial class as WR Cliff Branch denied induction. Answer: It’s a question I ask myself all the time. BOULDER — Cliff Branch, one of – if not the – most electrifying players in the University of Colorado football history, passed away from natural causes in Bullhead City, Ariz., on Saturday. A four-time Pro Bowl pick and three-time all-pro selection, he twice led the league in touchdown catches (1974 and '76). It’s true that Branch played five years longer than Swann, but Swann would have to maintain his career average just to tie Branch over that span. In a time of celebration for fellow players being inducted into the pro football HOF I’m saddened to hear about the passing of cliff branch. The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted an expanded class in honor of the NFL’s 100th season, providing an opportunity to right some wrongs from way, way back. Another great player that won’t be here to see himself inducted. Cliff was a wide receiver with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders during his entire 14-year National Football League career. Flores posted a 105-90 overall career record with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks. Subscribe - nflalumni.buzzsprout.com. Another year has gone by and it’s another year where two of the greatest Raiders ever will be denied entrance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame . https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/sports/football/cliff-branch-raiders-dead.html Cliff Branch died unexpectedly Saturday night, leaving the Raiders' organization shocked and in mourning.He was 71 years old. Just ahead of Branch at 8th and 9th are Fred Biletnikoff (8,974) and James Lofton (8,816). Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalist: 2020 Semifinalist: 2004 2010 Final Season: 1985 Eligible: Class of 1991 Senior Committee Eligible: Class of 2011 Legends Score: 19 ? More bio, uniform, draft info. Warren Sapp got in before Michael Strahan, Ken Stabler was held out for 32 years, and somehow Troy Aikman is in there. Play Index. For Cliff Branch, this axiom rings truer than most. Cliff Branch didn’t live to see his name inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but his family was hoping to see it finally happen this year. How Lynn Swann is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame but Cliff Branch isn’t, nobody will ever know. In my brief appearance in pro football, i used every maneuver i learned from Cliff Branch in actual play. Cliff Branch tribute on NFL Alumni Lounge!! Cliff Branch should be next Raiders’ great to go to Hall of Fame. The Hall’s President and CEO David Baker announced the addition of 15 Hall of Famers to next year’s class back in August. School: Colorado. Tomorrow... Cliff Branch tribute on NFL Alumni Lounge!! Cliff Branch. Falling below the preseason radar was the fact that the Seniors Committee, charged with naming senior veterans for Hall of Fame enshrinement met on August 24th and officially named its two finalists for enshrinement in the class of 2018. Feb. 8—After Tom Flores and Charles Woodson earned induction Saturday into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, wide receiver Cliff Branch could be next in line among Raiders legends but it’s anything but a sure thing in 2022. Clifford Branch Jr. (August 1, 1948 – August 3, 2019) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders during his entire 14-year National Football League (NFL) career. Branch spent all 14 years of his NFL career (1972-85) with the Raiders. Cliff Branch (* 1.August 1948 in Houston; † 3. He was picked by the Hall of Fame’s Coach Committee, which met virtually Tuesday. Why in the world isn’t Oakland Raiders great Cliff Branch in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Lynn Swann: Pos: WR, Career: 116 G, 53 TD, 336 Rec, 16.3 Y/R (91st), All-Pro(1st), 3xProBowl, Steelers 1974-1982, born TN 1952 Getty Former Raiders WR Cliff Branch. Pro Football Hall of Famers discuss the dynamic playmaking of Cliff Branch and explain why this Raiders legend deserves a place in Canton. Cliff Branch pro football statistics. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a bit of a joke. Cliff Branch had the 5th most receiving yards in the NFL from 1972-85 (8685) and he sat 10th most all-time in 1985 in both catches (501) and receiving yards. This group deprived this man the honor and privilege of wearing the gold jacket in front of his fans and teammates. Branch is one of the most accomplished receivers not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he compiled his numbers in an era when passing offenses were less prevalent. Cliff Branch passed away on August 3, 2019 at the age of 71. They formed a blue-ribbon panel to select a larger group for induction, including 10 seniors who played at least 25 years ago, two coaches and three contributors. Most Recent Games and Any Score Since 1869. After decades of being snubbed, Cliff Branch’s accomplishments in the game of football might be recognized. Conferences. August 2019) war ein US-amerikanischer American-Football-Spieler auf der Position des Wide Receivers.Er spielte von 1972 bis 1985 für die Oakland Raiders in der National Football League (NFL) und gewann mit den Raiders drei Mal den Super Bowl, (Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV und Super Bowl XVIII). Cliff Branch was easily the most dangerous of the three and was a part of all 3 of the Raiders Super Bowl victories. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Saturday night that Pearson has earned election in the Class of 2021. With that said, in all bluntness, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee failed him. It quickly became a hashtag, with #clifftocanton representing a full-scale push to get the legendary Raiders receiver inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He has died at the age of 71. After Kenny Stabler, there is another Raider from the Hey Days that should be in the Hall and there can be no rational argument against it: Cliff Branch. Love you Cliff @Raiders — Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson) August 4, 2019 Drew Pearson waited 33 years for this. Get Cliff to Canton. However, of all the “prestigious” institutions flaws, none are quite as glaring as the absence of Raiders receiver, Cliff Branch.Why in the world isn’t Cliff Branch in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Flores has been selected as the Coach Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021. He had just turned 71 last Thursday (August 1). Cliff Branch was a star receiver for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders, catching over 500 passes during a 14-year NFL career from 1972 until 1986. Cliff Branch, a big-play wide receiver whose speed exemplified the Raiders’ style of offensive football in the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of … Cliff Branch's Endorsement for the Pro Football Hall of Fame by Greg Guglielmo who is the Founder of ELDORADO, a sports analytics website and consulting firm. ... College Football Scores. Position: WR Draft: 4th round, 98th overall of the 1972 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. Branch is one of the most accomplished receivers not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he compiled his numbers in an era when passing offenses were less prevalent. Seasons: 1972 → 1985 Position: Wide Receiver Cliff Branch @ Wikipedia But that still was not enough to get Cliff Branch in the Hall. Cliff Branch for Pro Football Hall of Fame has 1,354 members. Unfortunately, Branch was snubbed again on Wednesday and this time his fans and family will watch former Eagles wide receiver Harold Carmichael be inducted over the legendary Raiders wide receiver. Cliff Branch Bio: He was an American professional football player, who died on today 3 August 2019. Question: Why isn't Cliff Branch in The Pro Football Hall of Fame? Home Teams Players Coaches Drafts Awards Leaderboards. … The late three-time Super Bowl winner was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s special centennial class on Wednesday.. Eight of the top nine are Hall of Famers. Fred Biletnikoff and Dave Casper are both in Canton.