Marlin Briscoe: Omaha’s Trailblazing Quarterback
Marlin Briscoe
Legacy Maker | Professional Football Player
Story by Aniya Porter
Marlin Oliver Briscoe (September 10, 1945 – June 27, 2022), nicknamed “the Magician,” holds a permanent place in professional football history. In 1968, he became the first Black starting quarterback in the modern era of the American Football League (AFL), a breakthrough that challenged long-standing racial barriers at one of the sports most scrutinized positions.
Born in Oakland, California, Briscoe moved to Omaha, Nebraska, at age of five, where his athletic gifts became evident. At Omaha South High School, he excelled in multiple sports, including football and tennis, helping lead his football team to a state championship.
Briscoe continued his career at Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha), where he emerged as one of the most dynamic players in college football. In 1967, he led the nation in total offense and set multiple school records, achievements that would later earn him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Selected by the Denver Broncos in the 1968 AFL Draft, Briscoe initially entered the league as a defensive back but fought for the opportunity to play quarterback. In October 1968, he made history when he became the first Black starting quarterback in the modern AFL/NFL era. That season, he threw 14 touchdown passes, setting a Broncos rookie record and demonstrating the poise and playmaking ability that had defined his career.
Despite his success at quarterback, Briscoe was later transitioned to wide receiver, where he continued to excel. Over a nine-year professional career, he played teams in both the AFL and NFL, including the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins, he contributed to back-to-back Super Bowl championships (1972 and 1973) and was part of the legendary 1972 undefeated team, the only perfect season in modern NFL history.
Beyond the field, Briscoe dedicated himself to youth mentorship and community development. He served as director of the Boys & Girls Club in Long Beach, and founded a football camp for young athletes, using his experience to emphasize discipline, education, and perseverance.
Marlin Briscoe’s legacy is one of resilience and trailblazing courage, making him one of Omaha’s most celebrated athletes and an enduring symbol of breaking barriers in sports.
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