Former NFL quarterback Craig Morton died Saturday in Mill Valley, Calif., according to a Broncos team statement. He was 83.
Mr Morton played 18 seasons with the Cowboys, Giants and Broncos. He was taken by the Cowboys with the fifth-overall pick of the 1965 draft out of the University of California at Berkeley. He led the franchise to Super Bowl V, and won Super Bowl VI as a backup for the franchise, behind Roger Staubach.
Mr. Morton was highly effective in Dallas, going 32-14-1 as a starter over his 10 seasons in there. He was traded to the Giants mid-season in 1974, but his career was rejuvenated when he was traded to the Broncos in 1977, immediately taking them to Super Bowl XII (losing, ironically, to the Cowboys), becoming the first quarterback to start Super Bowls for different teams.
Mr. Morton finished the 1977 season second in MVP voting and he won Comeback Player of the Year. He also finished fourth in MVP voting with the Broncos in his final full season in 1981. He was placed into the franchise's Ring of fame in 1988 and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Mr. Morton completed his career with an 81-62-1 record. He completed 2,053 passes for 27,908 yards, 183 touchdowns and 187 interceptions.
My take: Just a solid quarterback. Underrated. Consistent. Tough. He was very good on good teams and started two Super Bowls. He was good enough to make Tom Landry question for three seasons whether he or Staubach was the best option as the starter. Rest In Peace.
THE ASYLUM
Ex-NFL quarterback Morton dies
Former NFL quarterback Craig Morton died Saturday in Mill Valley, Calif., according to a Broncos team statement. He was 83.
Mr Morton played 18 seasons with the Cowboys, Giants and Broncos. He was taken by the Cowboys with the fifth-overall pick of the 1965 draft out of the University of California at Berkeley. He led the franchise to Super Bowl V, and won Super Bowl VI as a backup for the franchise, behind Roger Staubach.
Mr. Morton was highly effective in Dallas, going 32-14-1 as a starter over his 10 seasons in there. He was traded to the Giants mid-season in 1974, but his career was rejuvenated when he was traded to the Broncos in 1977, immediately taking them to Super Bowl XII (losing, ironically, to the Cowboys), becoming the first quarterback to start Super Bowls for different teams.
Mr. Morton finished the 1977 season second in MVP voting and he won Comeback Player of the Year. He also finished fourth in MVP voting with the Broncos in his final full season in 1981. He was placed into the franchise's Ring of fame in 1988 and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Mr. Morton completed his career with an 81-62-1 record. He completed 2,053 passes for 27,908 yards, 183 touchdowns and 187 interceptions.
My take: Just a solid quarterback. Underrated. Consistent. Tough. He was very good on good teams and started two Super Bowls. He was good enough to make Tom Landry question for three seasons whether he or Staubach was the best option as the starter. Rest In Peace.
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