Melvin Leroy Branch (February 15, 1937 – April 21, 1992) was an American football defensive end who played for the Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins in the American Football League (AFL).

Mel Branch
refer to caption
Branch c. 1960
No. 87, 86
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born:(1937-02-15)February 15, 1937
Leesville, Louisiana, U.S.
Died:April 21, 1992(1992-04-21) (aged 55)
DeRidder, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:DeRidder
College:LSU
NFL draft:1960 / round: 10 / pick: 118
AFL draft:1960 / round: Second selections
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career AFL statistics
Sacks:57
Fumble recoveries:3
Games played:126
Games started:103
Stats at Pro Football Reference

While playing college football for the LSU Tigers, he was a member of the "Chinese Bandits" defense for the 1958 national champion team, and a starter for the Texans in their victory over the Houston Oilers in the longest professional football game played up to that time, the 1962 AFL Championship Game.

See also

edit