Former Broncos Quarterback Craig Morton Dies at 83
Morton, who led Denver to its first playoff appearance and Super Bowl berth in 1977, held numerous franchise records at retirement before being inducted into the Ring of Fame in 1988.
The Denver Broncos have confirmed the death of Craig Morton, a legendary quarterback inducted into the team's Ring of Fame, who passed away on 9 May at the age of 83. The club announced the news on Monday, marking the end of a career that spanned 18 years across three franchises and fundamentally altered the trajectory of the Denver franchise in the late 1970s.
Morton's tenure with the Broncos from 1977 to 1982 is defined by a pivotal breakthrough season where he guided the team to its first playoff appearance, first AFC Championship, and first Super Bowl berth. During the 1977 campaign, he secured home victories against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders, leading the franchise to Super Bowl XII. His performance that year earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Year award and the Pro Football Writers of America Comeback Player of the Year honour.
His legacy in Denver is cemented by the records he established at the time of his retirement. Morton holds the franchise records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass attempts, and completions, though these figures were later surpassed by John Elway. Despite these subsequent achievements, Morton's 41 regular-season wins remain the third-most in franchise history, underscoring his enduring impact on the team's offensive identity.
Before his arrival in Colorado, Morton was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965 and later played for the New York Giants. He made history as the first quarterback in NFL history to start in two Super Bowls, appearing in Super Bowl V with the Cowboys and Super Bowl XII with the Broncos. In both instances, his teams faced defeat, losing to the Baltimore Colts and the Dallas Cowboys respectively.
The significance of Morton's contribution to the Broncos' rise was highlighted by wide receiver Haven Moses, who publicly declared him the most valuable player in the National Football League during the 1977 season. Moses described Morton as "unbelievable" following the AFC Championship game, a sentiment that reflected the crucial role the quarterback played alongside the team's famed Orange Crush defence in establishing the franchise as a contender.
Morton was formally inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988, joining the honours roll alongside Haven Moses and Jim Turner. His induction recognised not only his statistical achievements but also his instrumental role in transitioning the organisation from a state of NFL irrelevance to a competitive force capable of reaching the Super Bowl.
