Honorary Street Marker Placed for Clifford Branch, Jr.

Sunday, August 1, family, friends, and residents of Larkspur Street in Sunnyside celebrated one of their own com with City of Houston honorary street markers dedicated to ex-Raider football legend Clifford Branch, Jr. on what would have been his 73rd birthday. The blue markers were placed at either end of the 4800 Block of Larkspur between Chain and Coffee streets.

Branch started his road to athletics by playing catch and having foot races with his neighborhood friends up and down Larkspur. From there he played football and track at Houston’s Worthing High School and nearby Wharton Junior College before transferring to the University of Colorado. At Colorado, after setting an NCAA championship meet record in the 100 meters, he stated "My goal has always been to win the NCAA 100 meter championship. This is my last track meet since I expect to sign a pro contract with the Oakland Raiders within the next two weeks."

As he predicted, the Oakland Raiders picked Branch in the fourth round. He went on to play 14 NFL seasons, all with the Raiders, including winning three Super Bowls. Cliff Branch passed from natural causes on August 3, 2019.