Editing Cliff Branch (section)

==Later life==
Branch played for the [[Los Angeles Cobras]] of the [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]] in [[1988 Arena Football League season|1988]], their only season of existence.<ref name="Fox" />

He was cited by the [[NFL Network]] as #5 on players not in the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], noted for his speed at the position of wide receiver while being overshadowed by receivers of his time like Pittsburgh rivals [[Lynn Swann]], [[John Stallworth]], and teammate [[Fred Biletnikoff]]. Minus Swann (whose numbers were considerably lower), Branch had comparable statistics to each of those players as each have over 500 receptions and 8,000 yards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr7I2qak9fI|title=#5 Cliff Branch &#124; &#124; NFL Films &#124; Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame|access-date=November 23, 2021|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

He was a nominee to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], and was a semifinalist in 2004 and 2010.  In 2011, the [[Professional Football Researchers Association]] named Branch to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good-2011.htm |title=Hall of Very Good Class of 2011 |access-date=November 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902011938/http://www.profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good-2011.htm |archive-date=September 2, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On August 24, 2021, Branch was posthumously selected as the seniors finalist for the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] Class of 2022. On February 10, 2022, he was selected for enshrinement in the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].