Former UNO quarterback Marlin Briscoe will be honored this fall at Baxter Arena. The event titled “An Evening with The Magician” will celebrate Briscoe’s life as he became the first African-American starting quarterback. Briscoe played for the Denver Broncos and was recently inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.
Briscoe attended Omaha South and played both basketball and football. According to a press release, “An Evening with The Magician” is the first of three events to honor Briscoe. Following the event, UNO will hold a special unveiling of a life-sized statue of Briscoe on campus Sept. 23.
Briscoe will also be honored on the field at Omaha South’s homecoming football game at Collin Field. “An Evening with The Magician” is being organized by a steering committee, with members such as Johnny Rodgers and Trev Alberts.
“Marlin was always able to bring his best when it mattered most,” Rodgers said. “He didn’t talk about what he was going to do. He just went out and defied all odds. It’s important to the youth of Nebraska that national heroes are honored right here in our hometown. If Marlin can do it, then we all can do it.”
The event is also an opportunity to fundraise for scholarships for the next generation of student leaders in the greater Omaha area. Information regarding costs for sponsorships and tables can be found at baxterarena.com. Any questions about the event should be directed to briscoeevents@nufoundation.org.
“An Evening with The Magician” is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 22 at Baxter Arena.
