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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Jelani Scott

NFL World Pays Tribute To Groundbreaking QB Marlin Briscoe

Trailblazing AFL and NFL player Marlin Briscoe died at the age of 76 Monday following a bout with pneumonia, according to a report from the Associated Press.

Briscoe, a star college quarterback who was originally drafted by the Broncos to play cornerback, made history as a rookie in 1968 by becoming the American Football League’s first Black starting QB; he started five games that season and finished as a runner-up in AFL Rookie of the Year voting. After transitioning to wide receiver the following year, Briscoe eventually became a Pro Bowler with the Bills in 1970, and a Super Bowl champion with the Dolphins during the undefeated ’72 season and again in ’74.

News of the 10-year pro’s passing sparked a wave of tributes across social media as fans, organizations and various sports figures offered their condolences:

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