Athlete. At 5-9, 165 pounds, he was a high school star in both basketball and football at Omaha South from which he graduated in 1963, followed by an outstanding quarterback career at Omaha University. It was not until he played quarterback in professional football in 1968 with the Denver Broncos that the wider world began to appreciate what a truly fine athlete was the man Marlin Briscoe. In his rookie season he threw for over a thousand yards and 14 touchdowns. His career in the pros lasted with several teams, serving sometimes as quarterback and sometimes as a wide receiver, for nearly a decade. He was the first Black American to start at quarterback in the pros. Marlin was named All-Pro with the Buffalo Bills and won two Super Bowl rings with the 1973-74 Miami Dolphins.
1970 AFC PASS RECEIVING LEADER
Buffalo Bills – Led the AFC and was All-Pro
Receptions – 57
Yardage – 1,036
Yards Per Catch 18.2
Accomplishments as the First Black Quarterback
In the 1968 Season with the Denver Broncos
Passing Yards By a Rookie
Season – 1968
1,589 Marlin Briscoe
Game
335 Briscoe, vs. Buffalo 11/24/68 (12-29)
Passing Attempts By a Rookie
Season – 224
Game – 29
Touchdowns
Season – 14 Touchdowns
Single Game – 4 Touchdowns, vs. Buffalo 11/24/68
Completions Season – 93
Average Gain Per Attempt
7.09 Marlin Briscoe 1968
Best Average Gain Per Completion
Career (min. 100 passes)
17.09 yards
Season (min. 50 passes)
17.09 yards
Game (min. 12 passes)
27.92 yards Briscoe, vs. Buffalo 11/24/68
Passer Rating By a Rookie
63.1 Marlin Briscoe
