Black QB pioneer Briscoe dies at 76

Marlin Briscoe, who became the first Black starting quarterback in the American Football League more than 50 years ago and was a member of the 1972 Miami Dolphins team that finished with a perfect season, died of pneumonia at 76 in Norwalk (Los Angeles County).

The Denver Broncos drafted him as a cornerback in the 14th round out of Omaha University in 1968. Briscoe told the team he’d return home to become a teacher if he couldn’t get a tryout at quarterback. Denver agreed to an audition, and the 5-foot-10 player nicknamed “The Magician” nearly rallied the Broncos to victory as a reserve against the Boston Patriots on Sept. 29 before earning the historic start Oct. 6.

Briscoe started five games that season. He was runner-up for AFL Rookie of the Year after passing for 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushing for 308 yards and three scores. Denver didn’t give him a chance to compete for the quarterback job in 1969, so he asked to be released. He became a Pro Bowl receiver with the Buffalo Bills and later won two Super Bowls with the Dolphins.

Briscoe was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016, and the Broncos named a diversity coaching fellowship in his honor before the 2021 season.

NFL: The Houston Texans had been told that their former quarterback Deshaun Watson was sexually assaulting and harassing women during massage sessions, but instead of trying to stop him, the team provided him with resources to enable his actions and “turned a blind eye” to his behavior, according to a lawsuit.

The lawsuit against the team was filed in Houston by one of the 24 women who previously had sued Watson over allegations of sexual misconduct when he played for the Texans. Last week, the women’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, announced 20 of the 24 lawsuits have been settled.

Watson, who later was traded to the Cleveland Browns, has denied any wrongdoing. Watson is facing discipline from the NFL over the allegations.

Golf: The Saudi-funded LIV Golf series added three players to its roster for the second tournament this week in Oregon: PGA Tour player Matthew Wolff, Oklahoma State’s Eugenio Chacarra of Spain and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico.

The 48-man field at Pumpkin Ridge in North Plains, Ore., starts Thursday for another $20 million purse, with an additional $5 million prize fund for a team competition.