Marlin Briscoe, the first Black starting quarterback in the American Football League, died Monday.
His daughter, Angela Marriott, told The Associated Press that Briscoe, 76, died of pneumonia at a hospital in Norwalk, California.
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He had been hospitalized with circulation issues in his legs.
Briscoe was a star quarterback at Omaha University before the Denver Broncos drafted him as a cornerback in the 14th round in 1968.
He told the team he wanted a tryout at quarterback.
Denver agreed to an audition, and the 5-foot-10 dynamo nicknamed “The Magician” made the starting lineup on October 6.