// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Mel Branch say to the tree? Leaf me alone.

Mel Branch

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.
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school	DeRidder
College	LSU
NFL draft	1960: 10th round, 118th overall pick
AFL draft	1960
Career history
Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs (1960–1965) Miami Dolphins (1966–1968)
Awards and highlights
AFL champion (1962) 2× First-team All-AFL (1960, 1962) Second-team All-AFL (1963) 3× AFL All-Star (1961–1963) AFL sacks co-leader (1960) National champion (1958)
Career AFL statistics
Sacks 57 Fumble recoveries 3 Games played 126 Games started 103 Stats at Pro Football Reference

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).

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

• List of American Football League players