| Phil Branch | |
| Birth Date: | 6 November 1932 |
| Birth Place: | Henderson, Texas, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Briarcliff, Texas, U.S. |
| Import: | yes |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 0 |
| Weight Lbs: | 205 |
| High School: | Gaston (Joinerville, Texas) |
| College: | Texas |
| Position1: | Guard |
| Nfldraftedyear: | 1954 |
| Nfldraftedround: | 9 |
| Nfldraftedpick: | 105 |
| Nfldraftedteam: | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Career Highlights: |
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| Playing Team1: | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
Joseph Philip Branch (November 6, 1932 – March 16, 2019) was an American professional football player who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[1] [2]
Branch was born in Henderson, TX and played high school football at Gaston High School in Joinerville, TX.
He went to Texas where he was a 3-year letterman, first at halfback, then fullback and in his senior season as a guard.[3] He also kicked for the team. He helped Texas to win the Southwest Conference Championship and Cotton Bowl in 1952 and to share the Conference Championship in 1953 when he was first-team All-Conference, and All-American Honorable Mention.[4] He was a second team all-conference selection in 1952.
In 1954 he was invited to the College All-Star Football game in Chicago and the East-West Shrine game, but had to miss the latter with a muscle injury.
He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 9th Round of the 1954 NFL Draft (#105 overall) but instead played in Canada with the Roughriders in 1956. The Roughriders went to the Western Interprovincial Football Union Championship that season, losing the WIFU best-of-three Championship 2–1.[5]
His younger brother Clair also played football at Gaston HS, Texas and for Saskatchewan.