Former Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler was long considered a Hall of Fame snub until he was finally inducted shortly after his death. Branch was a semifinalist for Hall induction in 2004 and 2010. 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. He is the definition of a speedy receiver. We need to unite as buff fans and get this dude into the NFL hall of Fame now while he is still alive. 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. Drew Pearson, who caught the Hail Mary from Roger Staubach, is a senior nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both averaged more passes per season than the Steelers in their time as NFL teams. My heart breaks for him! You just can't tell me staying in the public consciousness didn't factor in here. He won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV and XVIII. for the latest breaking news, rumors and content! 2020 marks another year that the Raiders are furious about the Hall of Fame’s decision to keep Tom Flores and Cliff Branch out once again. #Raiders #RaiderNation, — Cliff to Canton (@soreed10) January 15, 2020. The former coach was clearly not happy. Many, including my good friend Kenny King Jr., have said that Branch was a great Raider and an even better man. It makes no logical sense why he wouldn’t get in this year. #Raiders 27, #Eagles 10. But Jerry Rice also retired in 2004, when passing had taken over the NFL. Legendary Raiders head coach Tom Flores and receiver Cliff Branch are among 20 senior finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s special 2020 centennial class. Pearson thought he would earn a bust in the Centennial Class, which the Hall of Fame announced Jan. 15, 2020. Somebody owes Tom Flores an explanation other than — “we wanted to do this on a national TV studio show.”, — Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 13, 2020. In addition, Branch caught 73 passes for 1,289 yards and five touchdowns in the post-season, with the catches and yardage standing as NFL records until Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers came along. — Scott Bair (@BairNBCS) January 13, 2020, Full disclosure, I remain disappointed that coaches Tom Flores and Don Coryell do not have a home in Canton. The late three-time Super Bowl winner was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s special centennial class on Wednesday. AP. Apr 01, 2015 Hear it from Cliff himself, and take a look back at his spectacular career. “The way Cliff played overshadows a lot of us,” Biletnikoff said. Getty The legendary coach’s time will come, but it should’ve happened years ago. He was 71 years old. “To be honest with you, I was really shocked the way they did it,” Flores said. The speedy Branch was one of the best deep threats in the league, catching many long TD passes from quarterbacks Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett. I'm sure my mentions will be impacted, but whatever. Sure, Raiders fans are happy that defensive back Charles Woodson was elected to the HOF in his first year of eligibility and that Tom Flores, the Raiders’ first quarterback in 1960 who later coached them to victories in Super Bowls XV and XVIII, finally made it. Is Cliff Branch Hall of Fame Worthy? Is Cliff Branch next in line for Raiders to make Hall of Fame? Sign up for the DAILY Raiders Nation newsletter when you CLICK THE FOLLOW button on the main page. A Tweet from the Branch family after learning Cliff wasn’t elected yet again to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 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. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a bit of a joke. However, of all the “prestigious” institutions flaws, none are quite as glaring as the absence of Raiders receiver, Cliff Branch. In his career, Cliff Branch caught 501 catches for 8,685 yards, and 67 touchdowns. NFL GM calls Gruden's comments to Sherman 'blatant tampering' Feb 3, 2021 This isn’t even mentioning Jim Plunkett, who has also yet to get in despite winning two Super Bowls. Raiders Legends Denied Once Again in Hall of Fame Chase Getty Former Raiders WR Cliff Branch. Not only that, Branch had to share the ball with wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff and tight end Dave Casper, both already in the Hall of Fame, for part of his career. On the heels of legendary Raiders coach Tom Flores not being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Branch is... By Scott Gulbransen. Audio / 2 years ago. Greenwood, outside linebacker Chuck Howley, nose tackle Joe Klecko, offensive tackle George Kunz, receiver Stanley Morgan, middle linebacker Tommy Nobis … Clifford Branch Jr. was born on August 1, 1948, in Houston, Texas. The 6-foot, 212-pound Pearson caught 489 passes for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns in his 11-year career, was a three-time first-team All-Pro, and played in three Pro Bowls. Want the latest breaking Las Vegas Raiders news delivered straight to your email for FREE? Two current TV guys win. 7, Buccaneers beat Chiefs 31-9 Former Raiders coach Tom Flores is elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame He spoke with The Athletic’s Vic Tafur about the theatrics of Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher finding out they were inducted on TV. Super Bowl XV – Carmichael (5 catches for 83 yards); Branch (5 catches for 67 yards and 2 TDs). READ NEXT: Willie Brown Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Raiders Legends Denied Once Again in Hall of Fame Chase, Copyright © 2021 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Tom Flores was the first to find out he missed the cut. Flores’ resume easily stands up to Johnson’s and is without a doubt more impressive than Cowher’s. Former Raiders WR Cliff Branch. With his team passing less than any other team, Hines had less opportunity than other receivers of his era. During the Raiders’ Super Bowl runs in 1976, 1980 and 1983, the speedy Cliff Branch lined up at receiver. 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. Former Dallas Cowboys … Raider legend Cliff Branch is gone at the age of 71. It was thought that Branch might get a similar treatment, but that wasn’t the case. Branch has long considered one of … AUDIO: Amy Trask on Cliff Branch & Talks “Hard Knocks” Our latest CBS Sports Radio 1140 show remembers Raiders great Cliff Branch who died on Saturday at the age of 71.... By Chaz Osborne. A fourth round pick in 1972, Cliff Branch was the ultimate game breaker. The Hall’s President and CEO David Baker announced the addition of 15 Hall of Famers to next year’s class back in August. Please make sure you tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Strictly a deep threat at Colorado, Branch benefited by being drafted in the fourth round (No. I wasn't alive to see him but here are his career numbers vs other players his era. In… Cliff Branch changed the game. Cliff Branch caught 501 passes for 8,685 yards and 67 TDs in a career that included three Super Bowl titles. For reasons unknown, that wasn’t what happened and two coaches who had never made the regular ballot beat him. That’s because, adding insult to injury for Raiders fans, wide receiver Drew Pearson of the Dallas Cowboys was selected for induction. Don't miss any of the latest up to the second updates for your Las Vegas Raiders when you follow on Twitter @HondoCarpenter. The other snub was Cliff Branch, who passed away late in 2019. Warren Sapp got in before Michael Strahan, Ken Stabler was held out for 32 years, and somehow Troy Aikman is in there. The 5-11, 170-pound Branch made 501 receptions for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns in 15 seasons with the Silver and Black, including an NFL record-tying 99-yard TD, was a three-time first-team All-Pro, played in four Pro Bowls, and played a key role as the Raiders won Super Bowls XI, XV and XVIII. Hines Ward played on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and from 1998-2011, the only teams that threw fewer passes than Ward’s Steelers were the Browns and Texans, who weren’t teams for the entire 14 year span of Hines Ward’s career. People started going out and looking for speed, and looking for guys like Cliff Branch.”. “He’s a Hall of Famer.”, Added Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had some classic battles with Branch: “He changed the game, in the way a game is played as a wide receiver. Thread starter Bamalam CB#22; Start date Jan 25, 2019; B. Bamalam CB#22 Well-Known Member. Fans get mad about everything that goes against their team, but the Hall of Fame should be held accountable for this obvious oversite. If and when Branch finally is selected to the Hall of Fame, he won’t be in Canton for the induction ceremony. 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. happy that defensive back Charles Woodson was elected to the HOF. 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. “ … When we broke the huddle, the first thing the defense looked for was where Cliff was lined up. The world-class sprinter could out-run anyone, and he was at times unstoppable pushing the vertical Raiders offense downfield. 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. Powered by. There are many who aren’t even Raider fans who recognize the ridiculous nature of Flores getting snubbed once again. People on Twitter went after the organization for their decision. And very few receivers ever played as long or as well as Jerry Rice did. The whole Oakland Raiders organization is in mourning, but Branch deserved better from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 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. It seemed like 2020 may be the year a couple of Raider legends get into Hall of Fame, but they were denied once again. He was picked by the Hall of Fame’s Coach Committee, which met virtually Tuesday. 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. Now, while those numbers are good, they don’t hold up very well in 2018. While Pearson was a fine receiver who belongs in the HOF, Branch deserved election before he did, and the numbers tell the story. I'm sorry. In playoff games, he caught 68 passes for 1,131 yards and eight touchdowns, while playing on one Super Bowl champion. Cliff Branch’s family also addressed the wide receiver not getting in. 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. Raiders legend Tom Flores loses out. 08/18/2020 See All News. “And Cliff was still able to get open, with his speed and great moves. When Branc… Pearson was the lone senior candidate on the ballot. The wounds are still fresh for Flores, but he still took a jab at the Hall of Fame’s process. Another year has gone by and it’s another year where … Tom Brady wins Super Bowl No. Branch 8685 … — Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) January 15, 2020. Just for perspective, the NFL’s all-time leading receiver, Jerry Rice, caught 1,549 passes for 22,895 yards, and 197 touchdowns. 98 overall) of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Raiders, because he was able to learn some deceptive moves from Biletnikoff, the master of his craft. Cliff Branch to the HoF now. Tom Flores Selected as Finalist for HOF Class of 2021. Branch set the then-NCAA record for the 100-meter dash by running 10 seconds-flat at the 1972 NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., but passed up a chance to try out for the Olympic Games that year to attend Raiders rookie and training camps. Players whose careers ended more than 25 years ago remain eligible for Hall of Fame induction as a seniors candidate. Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Harold Carmichael was inducted, but as ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez pointed out, Branch’s resume was more impressive when factoring in the postseason. Cliff Branch : Pos: WR, Career: 183 G, 67 TD, 501 Rec, 17.3 Y/R (44th), 3xAll-Pro(1st), 4xProBowl, Raiders 1972-1985, 1x Yds Leader, born TX 1948, died 2019 #Deserving, — Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) January 13, 2020, I don't understand why make Tom Flores go through this process if he is disregarded at the last round. Is it finally time to see the Raiders Cliff Branch get his invitation to the NFL Hall of Fame? He died unexpectedly on Aug. 3, 2019, at the age of 71. The Hall of Fame chose theatrics over facts by inducting current TV commentators Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson. “It was not only a surprise, but I thought I was misled about my chances of getting in. #Raiders #RaiderNation — Cliff to Canton (@soreed10) January 15, 2020. Though Branch is no longer with us, Flores remains an active part of Raider Nation. Branch has been eligible for the Hall of Fame since 1991 and has twice been a semifinalist. Raider Nation diehards have been venting their frustration on social media since the 2021 Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame was announced last Saturday, the day before the Super Bowl. People started going out and looking for speed, and looking for guys like Cliff Branch," said HOF cornerback Mel Blount, who covered Branch when … “The way it was done was a little ludicrous,” Flores said. Branch has been eligible for the Hall of Fame since 1991 and has twice been a semifinalist. We are still hoping one day Cliff Branch is in the Pro Football HOF. Focus on Sport/Getty Images. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Saturday night that Pearson has earned election in the Class of 2021. Considering Flores almost made the cut on the regular ballot in 2018, it seemed he was a lock to make it in as a member of the Centennial Class. The St. Louis Rams were known as the Greatest Show on Turf in the '90s, and names like Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk… Branch Denied Again for HOF Selection. pic.twitter.com/3g3949OnM1, — AFL GODFATHER (@NFLMAVERICK) January 13, 2020. We are still hoping one day Cliff Branch is in the Pro Football HOF. When you account for that, and you look at Hines Ward’s prime years, he actually measures u… Cliff Branch, WR When Raiders owner Al Davis pictured his explosive vertical offense in itsuch infancy, he likely envisioned wide receivers just like Cliff Branch. The Pro Football Hall of Fame owes Flores an explanation. Why in the world isn’t Oakland Raiders great Cliff Branch in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Thank you Raider Nation for all the support and kind words through the Hall of fame process. Knowing that wide receiver Cliff Branch, who should have been in the Hall of Fame long ago, was not going to make it this year because he wasn’t on the list of semifinalists didn’t make things any easier. I’ve obviously ruined this for everybody now by pointing out the facts. I was very disappointed.”, According to Tafur, Branch texted Flores the day before he died and told him, “You’re in, Coach.”. “The way Cliff played overshadows a lot of us,” Biletnikoff said. If they don’t rectify this issue in 2021, then there are serious problems with the induction process that need to be addressed. Jan 25, 2019 #1 Off season is getting to me now the Avs are slipping. Cliff Branch died unexpectedly Saturday night, leaving the Raiders' organization shocked and in mourning. He opened things up for the rest of our offense because they had to pay so much attention to him.". Some guys are no brainers: Dan Marino held all the passing records for a decade. Follow the Heavy Oakland Raiders page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content! He helped the Raiders win 3 Super Bowls with an impressive 73 receptions during the playoffs. That's bullshit. If we’re talking facts, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that Bill Cowher should’ve gotten into the Hall of Fame before Tom Flores. Bill Cowher? There is no real objective reason why people are or aren't in the hall of fame, for the most part. After decades of being snubbed, Cliff Branch’s accomplishments in the game of football might be recognized. Willie Brown Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. The legendary wide receiver has long been considered one of the biggest Hall of Fame snubs ever and that fact is going to continue. “Cliff made it possible for us to do so many things in not only our passing game but the running game, too, because defenses routinely tried to cover him with two and sometimes three defenders,” quarterback Kenny “Snake” Stabler said. According to published media reports the final 12 for the senior committee Hall of Fame nominee for the Class of 2021 Ken Anderson, receiver Cliff Branch, running back Roger Craig, inside linebacker Randy Gradishar, defensive end L.C. “I’m a little down right now, so I don’t want to say too much.”. A few years ago, NFL Network selected Branch as one of the top five players worth of selection who had not yet selected for induction in Canton, Ohio. “I don’t want to hear about all these things, this or that, but he didn’t do this, he didn’t do that,” Hall of Fame Coach Mike Ditka said.
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