This week in City of Houston history.
Lance Alworth Born August 3, 1940 in Houston, Texas
Lance Alworth was born in Houston on August 3, 1940. He played 11 seasons of professional football, mainly with the San Diego Chargers, and finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys. Alworth helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI and later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the first player whose career was based primarily in the AFL. He led the league in several receiving categories during the 1960s and still holds multiple franchise and league records. In college, he starred at the University of Arkansas in both football and track, and earned Academic All-American honors three times. He was born in Texas but raised in Mississippi, where he began his athletic career. His achievements at every level of competition placed him in the College Football Hall of Fame and several state and school halls of fame. Alworth’s connection to Houston begins with his birth and extends through his lasting legacy in American football.
Clifford Branch Jr. passed away on August 3, 2019.
Clifford Branch Jr. (August 1, 1948 – August 3, 2019) was a professional football wide receiver known for his career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Branch, a key player in the Raiders’ victories in Super Bowl XI, XV, and XVIII, was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022. Born in Houston, Texas, Branch attended the University of Colorado, where he excelled in both football and track. Drafted by the Raiders in 1972, he amassed 501 receptions, 8,685 yards, and 67 touchdowns over 14 seasons. Branch set NFL playoff records for receptions and receiving yards during his career. His legacy as a fast, consistent player remains significant in NFL history. Branch passed away at age 71, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
