NFL legend and former Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton has died at the age of 83.
The longtime football star, who helped turn the Broncos into a Super Bowl contender and also spent years with the Dallas Cowboys, passed away Saturday surrounded by family in Mill Valley, California, according to the Broncos organization. A cause of death has not yet been released.
For many football fans, Morton will forever be remembered as the quarterback who helped put Denver on the map.
After joining the Broncos in 1977, Morton led the franchise to its first-ever playoff appearance and a trip to Super Bowl XII during a magical comeback season that shocked the NFL. The veteran quarterback was named AFC Offensive Player of the Year and also took home NFL UPI MVP honors that season after reviving his career in dramatic fashion.
Broncos teammate Haven Moses once called Morton “the most valuable player in the National Football League,” according to The New York Times.
Before becoming a Denver icon, Morton made his name with the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted in 1965. He spent nine seasons with the Cowboys and helped lead the team during one of the franchise’s most important eras, compiling a strong 32-14-1 record as a starter.
But his career took a rough turn after he was traded to division rival New York Giants in 1974. Morton struggled badly in New York, opening his stint there with a disappointing 1-6 record. After three difficult seasons, many believed his NFL days were nearing the end.
Instead, Denver gave him a second chance — and Morton delivered one of the league’s biggest comeback stories.
His stunning turnaround with the Broncos earned him Comeback Player of the Year honors in 1977 and cemented his place in franchise history. He remained with Denver through the 1982 season before retiring from the NFL.
In 1988, Morton was officially inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame alongside teammates Haven Moses and Jim Turner.
Morton is survived by his wife, Kym, along with his sister, children and grandchildren.
He was 83.