Marlin Briscoe, a 2016 College Football Hall of Fame inductee who played quarterback at the University of Nebraska Omaha from 1964-67, passed away June 27 in Norwalk, California. He was 76. His daughter, Angela Marriott, told The Associated Press that her father died of pneumonia after being hospitalized with circulation issues in his legs.
 
Known as "The Magician" for his ability to pull great plays out of a hat, Marlin Briscoe arguably ranks as the most famous and well-remembered player in the University of Nebraska Omaha's history, and he and remains the school's only College Football Hall of Fame inductee.
 
"Marlin Briscoe was a true trailblazer with the talent to back it up," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "His contributions to our sport will not be forgotten and all who play the game today continue to benefit from his legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and we're proud that his accomplishments are forever immortalized at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta."
 
An NAIA First Team All-American his senior year, the Omaha, Neb., native set 22 school records as the starting quarterback for the Mavericks from 1964-67, when the school was still named Omaha University. A member of the 1967 Black All-America Team, Briscoe was a three-time All-Central Intercollegiate Conference selection, and he led the Mavericks to CIC title in 1967. He enjoyed the finest season of his career in 1967, throwing for 2,283 yards and a single-season school-record 25 touchdowns. At UNO, Briscoe ranks second all-time with 53 touchdown passes, third all-time with 5,114 passing yards and fourth in total offense with 6,505 yards.
 
Briscoe was drafted in the 14th round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, playing one season with the franchise and setting a rookie record with 14 touchdown passes. Considered the first starting black quarterback in the NFL's modern era, Briscoe told the Broncos he would become a teacher if they did not give him a shot a quarterback. After a impressive tryout against the Boston Patriots on Sept. 29, he landed the historic start Oct. 6. Briscoe would go on to also play for the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Detroit Lions and New England Patriots during his nine-year career. The 1970 All-Pro selection was a member of the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins team and won two Super Bowls (VII, VIII) with the franchise as a wide receiver.
 
After playing football, Briscoe ran various youth football camps and established the Marlin Briscoe Scholarship Fund at UNO. He received the keys to the cities of Los Angeles and Bellevue, Neb., and he is a former director of a Boys and Girls Club. He was among the inaugural inductees into the UNO Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975. In 2021, the Denver Broncos named a diversity coaching fellowship in his honor. Born Sept. 10, 1945 in Oakland, California, Briscoe played at Omaha South High School in Nebraska before enrolling in college.