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Authored by John Short, Jr

Former Raiders great Cliff Branch dies at 71

Cliff Branch, a member of three of the Raiders' Super Bowl championship teams, died Saturday at age 71, the team confirmed.

Branchwas found in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Arizona, .The investigation revealed "no suspected Trey Burton Jersey foul play" and that Branch "died of natural causes," the department noted.

"Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans," the ."His lo s leaves an eternal Cordarrelle Patterson Jersey void for the Raiders Family, but his kindne s and loving nature will be fondly remembered forever."

"Cliff Was My Tarik Cohen Jersey Best Friend.. I Will Mi s Him Dearly"-MD-

Oakland Raiders (@Raiders)

Branch, who was selected by the Raiders out of Colorado in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL Draft,saw limited actionhis first two seasons but burst on the scene in 1974 when he caught 60 pa ses Charles Leno Jersey to lead the NFL in receiving yards (1,092) and touchdowns (13).

He went on to play his entire 14-season career with the Raiders, earning four Pro Bowl nods, three First-Team All-Pro selectionsand leading the league with 12 touchdown receptions in 1976.

Branch teamed with Hall of Fame receiver FredBiletnikoff and quarterback Ken Stabler to give Pat O'Donnell Jersey the Raiders a potent aerial attack in an era dominated by the running game. Branch's speed he averaged 17.3 yards per reception for his career made him a game-breaking threat.

He saved some of his biggest moments for the postseason, including Super Bowl 15, where he Sherrick McManis Jersey caught two touchdown pa ses to key a 27-10 victory over the Eagles.

Branch retired in 1985 with 501 catches for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns.

Branch's pa Eddie Jackson Jersey sing brought an outpouring of remembrance from former players, fans and others, many of whom remembered him as being a great guyoff the field.

In a time of celebration for fellow players being inducted into the pro football HOF Im saddened to hear about the pa sing of cliff branch. Another great player that Tom Waddle Jersey wont be here to see himself inducted. Love you Cliff

Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson)

RIP Cliff Branch. He walked right up to my son at the Baltimore game last year and offered to put his rings on my songs fingers. An amazing moment and something Ill never forget. A true Raider. Adam Shaheen Jersey

Savage Raider (@SBlack1984)

Covering the Raiders for two years I realized how important Cliff Branch Kyle Long Jersey was to that organization. RIP.

Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman)

RIP - should be on stage in Canton right now.

Your Boy Q (@YourboyQ254)
Former Raiders great Cliff Branch dies at 71 79 Bytes
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