Barrier-breaking QB Briscoe dies

Marlin Briscoe, who became the first Black starting quarterback in the American Football League more than 50 years ago, died Monday. Briscoe, 76, died of pneumonia at a hospital in California. He had been hospitalized with circulation issues in his legs. Briscoe was a star quarterback for Omaha University before the Broncos drafted him as a cornerback in 1968. Briscoe told the team he’d return home to become a teacher if he couldn’t get a tryout at quarterback. The Broncos agreed to an audition, and the 5-foot10 dynamo nearly rallied the team 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 TDs and rushing for 308 yards and three scores. The Broncos didn’t give Briscoe a chance to compete for the QB job in 1969, and didn’t offer an explanation. Briscoe went on the play for the Bills, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl as a receiver in 1970, and won two Super Bowls as a receiver with the Dolphins.