Marlin "The Magician" Briscoe -- the first black quarterback to start in the American Football League -- has passed away. He was 76.
Briscoe's daughter, Angela Marriott, confirmed the tragic news on Monday ... saying Marlin was hospitalized over poor circulation in his legs prior to dying of pneumonia at a Norwalk, California hospital.
Briscoe kicked off his career as a star quarterback for Omaha University in the 1960s. He led the team to three conference titles and set 22 school records including passing yards (4,935) and touchdowns (52).
The Omaha native was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 14th round of the 1968 AFL draft .