Brian Branch, Detroit Lions football safety, isn’t related to the late Cliff Branch, Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders’s former legendary wide receiver.
Cliff had already created his identity in the NFL, winning three championships, whereas Brian started his professional football career in 2023.
Highlights
- Brian Branch and Cliff Branch are from different eras and don’t share any familiar connection.
- 23 Year-old Brian Branch is the son of Clarence Branch III and Sharon Branch.
- Cliff Branch, who lost his life at 71, was the son of Clifford Branch Sr. and Hattie Mae Jack.
Brian Amani Branch was a four-star recruit who chose to play college football in Alabama and led his team to win over Cincinnati in the 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic.
The Detroit Lions drafted him in the second round, 45th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He was the first Lions player to record an interception return for a touchdown in his NFL debut since Lem Barney in 1967.
Conversely, Clifford Branch Jr. played receiver for the University of Colorado Boulder and was a sprinter on the track team.
The Oakland Raiders selected in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL draft with the 98th overall pick and spent his entire 14-year NFL career with them.
He finished his NFL career with 501 receptions for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns.
Brian Branch And Cliff Branch Doesn’t Share Any Connection
Netizens speculate a relationship between Brian Branch and Cliff Branch due to the confusion their surname created. However, their familial lineage is distinct apart.
Brian was born in Fayetteville, Georgia, whereas Cliff was in Houston, Texas.
Well Mother’s Day wasn’t a complete bust. In fact it was Awesome since I got to spend it with my two oldest boys and a Dghtr from another mother and her beautiful family pic.twitter.com/5WMBbv0KWN
— Sharon Branch (@TheFlyestBranch) May 13, 2024
23 Year-old Brian Branch’s parents always encouraged him to pursue his dream. However, his parents, Clarence Branch III and Sharon Branch, divorced when he was young.
His father passed away early when Brian was creating his identity in football, and he tweeted that his father not attending any of his games messed him up in 2019.
Clarence lost his life on March 20, 2019. He was a high school football player and joined the military instead of continue playing.
Sharon continued her support towards his son throughout every step.
His dad was a sports, not just football. To see his son out there would just kind of be the icing on the cake for him, because he had such a love for the game like no other like I had ever known. It’s interesting because he was a Dallas Cowboys fan, and Brian is a Dallas Cowboys fan, and Brian never really even knew that. I think he would be very pleased.
Sharon Branch talked about his late husband.
Furthermore, Brian’s brother, Christian, supported him in his career and was moved to tears by an emotional support message from his brother during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Cliff Branch is a member of the Davis family.
— AFL Godfather 👓🏴☠️🔥 (@NFLMAVERICK) August 6, 2022
🖤🤍🏴☠️👓 pic.twitter.com/LiQmsRzfry
On the other hand, Cliff Branch, the son of Clifford Branch Sr. and Hattie Mae Jack, was born on August 1, 1948. Sadly, his father passed away in 1999, and his mother in 2009.
Hattie was never a fault-finder and level-headed. She was highly open-minded and could always come to her to discuss complicated matters.
He grew up with his brother Edwin and two sisters, Cheryl and Elaine.
Cliff married Essie and had three children: Brent, Melanie, and Anthony. Sadly, their marriage fell apart, and they went their separate ways.
His oldest son, Brent, followed in his footsteps and became a member of the Buffs under Bill McCartney in the late 1980s.
He had two grandchildren, Courtni and Brentney.
On August 3, 2019, he lost his life two days after his 71st birthday due to natural causes. His lifeless body was found in a hotel room in Bullhead City, Arizona.
His children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, close friends, and family survive him.
Additional Information
- Brian Branch was named the Georgia 5A Ironman of the Year as a Sandy Creek High School senior.
- He appeared in 15 games and started nine as a rookie for the Detroit Lions.
- Cliff set an NCAA championship meet record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.0 seconds at the 1972 NCAA Championships semifinal in track.
- Cliff’s net worth was estimated at $5 million, whereas Brian signed a four-year contract worth $8,021,742 with the Lions on July 18, 2023.
