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The football world is mourning the loss of former Craig Morton, the legendary quarterback who helped shape the history of both the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys franchises. The former NFL quarterback, best known for leading the Broncos to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, died at the age of 83 in Mill Valley, California.
The passing of Craig Morton has sparked tributes across the NFL community, with fans remembering his resilience, leadership, and impact on professional football during an 18-year NFL career that stretched across multiple eras of the game.
The Denver Broncos officially confirmed the death of Craig Morton on Monday, stating that the former quarterback passed away on Saturday, May 9. His family did not disclose a cause of death.
Craig Morton’s NFL Journey Began With the Dallas Cowboys
The story of Craig Morton began when he was selected fifth overall in the 1965 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. The former University of California quarterback entered the league with major expectations and quickly became part of one of the NFL’s rising franchises.
Interestingly, Craig Morton was also drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the AFL Draft, though he never played for the organization.
Most of Morton’s early NFL career was spent in Dallas, where he became known for his strong arm and ability to lead high-pressure offenses. During the early 1970s, however, his career became closely tied to another Cowboys legend, Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach.
The two quarterbacks often split playing time in one of the NFL’s most famous quarterback competitions.
Craig Morton Led Cowboys to Super Bowl V
One of the defining moments of Craig Morton’s career came during the 1970 season when he led the Dallas Cowboys to Super Bowl V.
Although the Cowboys lost a close 16-13 game to the Indianapolis Colts, Morton had reached football’s biggest stage early in his career.
The game itself proved difficult for the quarterback, as he threw three interceptions against a tough Colts defense. Still, simply reaching the Super Bowl established Craig Morton as one of the NFL’s prominent quarterbacks of the era.
However, competition with Roger Staubach continued after the loss, eventually leading Morton to seek a trade from Dallas.
Craig Morton’s Trade Changed NFL History
In 1974, the Dallas Cowboys traded Craig Morton to the New York Giants.
The move ended one of the NFL’s most closely watched quarterback situations. But the trade would later have a major ripple effect for Dallas.
As part of the deal, the Cowboys received a future first-round draft pick that eventually became Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White, one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history.
Morton’s time with the Giants, however, was challenging and largely unsuccessful. The veteran quarterback struggled behind a weak roster, and the team failed to establish itself as a contender.
Craig Morton Revived Career With Denver Broncos
The defining chapter of Craig Morton’s football legacy came after another trade, this time to the Denver Broncos in 1977.
At the time, the Broncos had never reached the playoffs in franchise history. That changed almost immediately after Morton arrived.
Led by Craig Morton on offense and the famous “Orange Crush” defense, the Broncos shocked the NFL by reaching the postseason and advancing all the way to Super Bowl XII.
Ironically, the Super Bowl matchup placed Morton against his former team, the Cowboys, and against Roger Staubach, the quarterback who had replaced him in Dallas.
Super Bowl XII Became a Difficult Night for Craig Morton
Although reaching the Super Bowl represented a historic achievement for Denver, the championship game itself became another difficult moment for Craig Morton.
The Dallas Cowboys dominated the game and defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10.
Morton struggled heavily against the Cowboys defense, throwing four interceptions before being benched during the game.
Defensive stars Randy White and Harvey Martin were named co-MVPs of Super Bowl XII, marking the only time in Super Bowl history that the MVP award has been shared.
Despite the loss, Craig Morton had already changed the trajectory of the Broncos franchise forever.
Craig Morton Helped Build Broncos History
Even beyond the Super Bowl appearance, Craig Morton played a massive role in building the identity of the modern Denver Broncos.
During his six seasons with the Broncos, Morton guided the team to two AFC West division titles and helped transform Denver into a respected NFL organization.
When he retired, Craig Morton held nearly every major Broncos passing record, including:
- Most passing yards
- Most touchdown passes
- Most pass completions
- Most pass attempts
Those records were later surpassed by Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway and Peyton Manning.
Even today, Morton’s 41 regular-season wins remain among the highest totals in Broncos franchise history.
Craig Morton Career Statistics and Legacy
Over his 18-year NFL career, Craig Morton established himself as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of his generation.
His career totals include:
- 27,908 passing yards
- 183 touchdown passes
- 81 regular-season victories as a starter
Beyond the numbers, however, Morton’s legacy is deeply connected to leadership and perseverance.
He experienced both triumph and disappointment on football’s biggest stage, playing in Super Bowls with two different franchises during a highly competitive NFL era.
Broncos Honor Craig Morton’s Lasting Impact
The Denver Broncos later inducted Craig Morton into the Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988, cementing his status as one of the organization’s foundational legends.
For many fans, Morton remains the quarterback who first gave Denver belief that the franchise could compete at the highest level.
Tributes continue to pour in from former players, NFL analysts, and fans remembering Craig Morton not just as a talented quarterback, but as a player who helped shape NFL history during one of football’s most transformative decades.
Craig Morton Remembered by Family and Football Community
According to the Broncos organization, Craig Morton is survived by his wife Kym, his children, grandchildren, and sister.
As the NFL community reflects on his life and career, the legacy of Craig Morton remains firmly connected to the rise of the Broncos, the history of the Cowboys, and the unforgettable Super Bowl era of the 1970s.
From Dallas to Denver, from Super Bowl heartbreak to franchise-changing leadership, Craig Morton leaves behind a lasting impact that will continue to be remembered throughout professional football history.