I once met former Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch and was very impressed with the man. He was funny, friendly and talkative. Cliff was signing autographs that day and penned my #21 Branch jersey with things that a signature collector would die for.
While choosing which Raiders jersey to wear for the 2010 NFL season opener, I came across my Cliff Branch jersey and was just overwhelmed with pride. Pride because not only am I a proud Silver & Black fan, but because I share that pride with players like #21 Cliff Branch.
As Raiders fans with a common love, our team, there's nothing like seeing up close and personal that same love shinging through a Raiders players eyes and hearing it in his speech. Cliff Branch played championship football with the Oakland Raiders. Years after retiring from football he still speaks of the Raiders with family love. Cliff wears the badge of "Once A Raider, Always A Raider" with pride. And if you ask me, he could still suit up and burn the average defensive back one on one.
Cliff, you will always be a part of the Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame!
Information about Cliff Branch from The Black Hole Symposium:
Cliff Branch was one of the greatest players in Raider history. Cliff struck fear into secondarys throughout the league during an outstanding 14-year career. The Raiders speedster finished his career as the NFL's postseason leader in receptions and yardage. This included 3 touchdowns in Oakland’s three Super Bowl victories. Cliff was a solid player who worked to become a complete receiver and wasn't the stereotypical speedster who cannot make a key grab. Branch had a big heart, a big mouth and a non-stop motor.
Branch graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1972 and spent his entire 14-year professional career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning 3 Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII. Branch caught 3 passes for 20 yards in Super Bowl XI, 5 passes for 62 yards and 2 touchdown in Super Bowl XV, and 6 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XVIII. Cliff was voted All-Pro 3 consecutive seasons (1974-1976) and had perhaps his finest season in 1976 catching 46 passes for 1,111 yards and 12 TDs, averaging an amazing 24.2 yards per catch. Branch was named to 4 consecutive Pro Bowls (1974-1977). In 1974, Branch led the National Football League in both receiving yards (1,092) and receiving touchdowns (13). Branch finished his 14 NFL seasons with 501 receptions for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns. He also rushed for 70 yards and returned 9 kickoffs for 191 yards.
While choosing which Raiders jersey to wear for the 2010 NFL season opener, I came across my Cliff Branch jersey and was just overwhelmed with pride. Pride because not only am I a proud Silver & Black fan, but because I share that pride with players like #21 Cliff Branch.
As Raiders fans with a common love, our team, there's nothing like seeing up close and personal that same love shinging through a Raiders players eyes and hearing it in his speech. Cliff Branch played championship football with the Oakland Raiders. Years after retiring from football he still speaks of the Raiders with family love. Cliff wears the badge of "Once A Raider, Always A Raider" with pride. And if you ask me, he could still suit up and burn the average defensive back one on one.
Cliff, you will always be a part of the Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame!
Information about Cliff Branch from The Black Hole Symposium:
Cliff Branch was one of the greatest players in Raider history. Cliff struck fear into secondarys throughout the league during an outstanding 14-year career. The Raiders speedster finished his career as the NFL's postseason leader in receptions and yardage. This included 3 touchdowns in Oakland’s three Super Bowl victories. Cliff was a solid player who worked to become a complete receiver and wasn't the stereotypical speedster who cannot make a key grab. Branch had a big heart, a big mouth and a non-stop motor.
Branch graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1972 and spent his entire 14-year professional career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning 3 Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII. Branch caught 3 passes for 20 yards in Super Bowl XI, 5 passes for 62 yards and 2 touchdown in Super Bowl XV, and 6 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XVIII. Cliff was voted All-Pro 3 consecutive seasons (1974-1976) and had perhaps his finest season in 1976 catching 46 passes for 1,111 yards and 12 TDs, averaging an amazing 24.2 yards per catch. Branch was named to 4 consecutive Pro Bowls (1974-1977). In 1974, Branch led the National Football League in both receiving yards (1,092) and receiving touchdowns (13). Branch finished his 14 NFL seasons with 501 receptions for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns. He also rushed for 70 yards and returned 9 kickoffs for 191 yards.
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