Former Bill Briscoe to enter NFF Hall of Fame

By Sampson Adedeji

Former Bills WR Marlin Briscoe will be formally inducted into the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame tonight. Briscoe, who is being enshrined as a quarterback, was an NAIA first team All-American at Nebraska-Omaha from 1964-67. He set 22 school records and led the team to a

conference title his senior year. Known as Marlin ‘The Magician,’ Briscoe was honored by the recognition. Briscoe is best known for being the first African-American to play quarterback in the American Football League. As a rookie

in 1968, Briscoe appeared in 11 games at quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

He said he never felt any pressure being the first person of color to play quarterback in the AFL. “Not extra pressure but extra pride,” Briscoe said. “I went to an NAIA school, and it was back in those days when schools that size, or lack of size, weren’t expected to make it in the NFL or at least have a great impact if they did make it. So my

college team, we had seven kids on my college team that went to the pros, whether as a free agent or as a draft. So it kind of solidified our brand of football and the transition that we had to make as small NAIA school into the major stage of playing in the NFL. And so very, very proud of that.” Briscoe played three seasons for the Bills (1969-71) including a 1,000-yard receiving season in 1970 when he pulled in eight

touchdowns and averaged 18.2 yards per catch.