After a wait that felt much too long to so many, Raiders legend Cliff Branch was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday evening.
The late receiver was presented by his sister Elaine Anderson and close friend and Raiders Owner Mark Davis.
"Even to this day, I get tears in my eyes when I look at the picture of Cliff running into 'Cliff's Corner' with that ball held up above his head as he scored a touchdown. … Every team feared Cliff Branch and that speed that he had," Davis said.
A fourth-round selection in the 1972 NFL Draft, Branch spent all 14 seasons of his career as a Raider, totaling 8,685 receiving yards, 501 catches and 67 touchdowns in that span. He led the Raiders in receiving yards six times and in touchdown receptions five times. He remains third all-time in franchise history in career catches, touchdowns and receiving yards – behind Hall of Famers Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff.
The league quickly took notice of the deep-threat receiver as he earned was named to four Pro Bowls (1975-78) and earned All-Pro honors three times (1974-76).
Branch's true explosiveness flashed in the postseason, accumulating 1,289 playoff receiving yards – the most in the league at the time of his retirement and sixth-most today – with five playoff touchdowns, three of which he scored during Super Bowls XV and XVIII.
"Cliff seemingly always had a big play in every big game," recalled former teammate Matt Millen. "Whenever you needed it: Cliff Branch."
Most of all, Branch was known for his speed. Of his 72 career touchdowns, 32 were 30-plus yards, including his famous 99-yarder from Jim Plunkett in 1983.
Branch's induction comes 37 years after his last season in the Silver and Black, a belated but deserving honor for one of the best wide receivers to play the game.
Take a look at photos from The Canton Repository Grand Parade and Class of 2022 Enshrinement as Cliff Branch and Richard Seymour are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour with his family during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour's family during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour's family during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson and Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Raiderette Kristina during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Raiderette Taylor during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Raiderette Camryn during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Raiderette Maddie during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's family during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson during The Canton Repository Grand Parade.
The stage at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium before the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour's bust is covered before the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's bust is covered before the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
A view of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium before the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
A view of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium before the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Jim Plunkett arrives for the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Las Vegas Raiders athletic trainer H. Rod Martin arrives for the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Las Vegas Raiders fans before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Las Vegas Raiders fans before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Mike Haynes before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Charles Woodson before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Marcus Allen before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Charles Woodson before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Charles Woodson before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Broadcaster Chris Berman during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Marcus Allen during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Mike Haynes before the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Actor Keegan-Michael Key during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Chris Berman during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour unveils his bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour's bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour with his bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Chris Berman during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
A prerecorded message from Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis about Hall of Famer Cliff Branch plays during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Marcus Allen during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson and Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis unveil Branch's bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson speaks during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson with Branch's bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis and Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson with Branch's bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis, Hall of Famer Richard Seymour and Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's sister Elaine Anderson with Branch's bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis and Hall of Famer Richard Seymour with Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis with Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis with Hall of Famer Cliff Branch's bust during the Class of 2022 Enshrinement.
