Marlin Briscoe, the first Black quarterback to engage in in the American Football League, died Monday just after a fight with pneumonia, his daughter said Monday. He was 76.

Angela Marriott informed the that Briscoe was hospitalized in Norwalk, California with circulation challenges in his legs.

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Denver QB Marlin Briscoe (15) in action vs Oakland Raiders at Mile Higher Stadium. Denver, CO 11/10/1968. (Carl Iwasaki /Sports activities Illustrated via Getty Pictures)

The Denver Broncos at first selected Briscoe as a cornerback in the 14th spherical of the 1968 AFL Draft. Briscoe, who was a standout quarterback at Omaha University, told the Broncos he would return residence to Nebraska if the staff did not give him a tryout at quarterback.

In late September of that year, Briscoe nearly rallied the Broncos to a victory as a backup versus the Boston Patriots. He was provided his initially start a week afterwards.

"He’s made an immense contribution to the sport," Marriott stated. "I hope that he continues to get identified for the contributions that he built. He was so happy of that accomplishment."

Briscoe did not get a chance to contend for the quarterback occupation in 1969. He asked to be unveiled.

Booker Edgerson, a cornerback for the Buffalo Expenditures in the AFL, believes Briscoe could have been a star if it ended up not for racism. Edgerson recalled Briscoe telling him he did not experience the Broncos have been all set to commit to a Black quarterback.

FILE - Buffalo Costs vast receiver Marlin Briscoe can take a forward go from quarterback Dennis Shaw all through an NFL soccer game in Baltimore, on Nov. 15, 1970. (WHD Photograph/William A. Smith, File)

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"He would have been one particular of the prime quarterbacks that they’d be conversing about proper now," Edgerson claimed. "He would’ve been an additional ... he would have been in there ahead of Warren Moon."

Briscoe, nicknamed "The Magician," moved to vast receiver and joined Edgerson in Buffalo in 1969. Briscoe was credited with aiding James Harris develop into the initially Black quarterback to open a year as a starter in the AFL.

"It was at the time when Black quarterbacks were being getting denied, so you experimented with to make sure you ended up greatest geared up for the possibility when it arrived. I was a ton superior off mainly because Briscoe was my roommate," Harris stated.

Harris performed for the Los Angeles Rams in 1974 and turned the first Black quarterback to gain an NFL playoff match. He was also a Pro Bowl MVP that season.

Briscoe turned a Professional Bowl receiver for Buffalo in 1970, received two Tremendous Bowls as a receiver with the Miami Dolphins and was a member of the 1972 undefeated Dolphins workforce.

"We are heartbroken to study of the passing of former Broncos QB Marlin Briscoe," the Broncos explained in a statement. "Marlin was a pioneer who shattered obstacles, building heritage as the to start with Black starting off quarterback in the Super Bowl era. He paved the way for plenty of other folks and designed an indelible legacy, together with by means of our Marlin Briscoe Diversity Coaching Fellowship. Our deepest sympathies go out to Marlin's family members, good friends and previous teammates."

Marlin Briscoe, the 1st Black beginning quarterback in the American Soccer League, died Monday, June 27, 2022. (WHD Photograph/File)

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Briscoe was inducted into the College or university Football Hal of Fame in 2016.

The contributed to this report.