OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — A memorial service was held on Saturday at Baxter Arena for Omaha icon and football legend Marlin Briscoe.
Briscoe grew up in Omaha before making history as the first Black starting quarterback in the NFL.
Friends took to the podium sharing stories of Briscoe and the impact he left on them.
Actor John Beasley, a close friend who hosted the service, shared why he felt it was important to have a service for Briscoe here in Omaha.
"When we planned the program we thought it was important that we got some of the people that knew Marlin through his life to be able to come up and say something about Marlin and I think that made it really special to hear from his past and how great he was not only on the football field but how intelligent he was," said Beasley.
Briscoe died in Los Angles back on June 27th.
He was 76 years old.
According to the UNO website:
"Omaha athletics will honor the legacy of former quarterback Marlin Briscoe at a celebration of life on Saturday, July 23. The Omaha and UNO community are invited to attend in the Baxter Arena club lounge."
"Briscoe, an Omaha native who starred at South High School, set nearly two dozen school records while playing for Omaha U (which became UNO in 1968). Drafted in the 14th round by the Denver Broncos, he was initially used as a defensive back, but a series of injuries to the team's quarterbacks gave him an opportunity to switch positions. Briscoe made the most of it and stepped in to become the first black starting quarterback in pro football history during his 1968 rookie season."
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