Craig Morton, the former Denver Broncos quarterback who guided the franchise to its first Super Bowl and was enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor, died at his home on Saturday at the age of 83. The Broncos confirmed the news.
Morton joined the Broncos in 1977 after a stint with the New York Giants, and he immediately transformed the team’s fortunes. That season, the ex-Cal star led Denver to Super Bowl XII, where they fell 27-10 to the Dallas Cowboys. Despite the loss, Morton was named the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year after posting a 12-2 record as a starter, throwing for 1,929 yards and 14 touchdowns. He finished his Broncos career in 1981 and was inducted into the club’s Ring of Fame in 1988.
Prior to his time in Denver, Morton played more than nine seasons (1965–1974) with the Dallas Cowboys, who selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. He also spent parts of three seasons with the New York Giants (1974–1976) before landing in Denver.
Within Broncos history, Morton ranks third all-time in passing yards (11,895), trailing only Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and John Elway. He is also third in touchdown passes (74) and second in game-winning drives (14), behind only Elway.
Over his 18-year NFL career, Morton compiled an 81–62–1 record as a starter, completing 2,053 passes for 27,908 yards and 183 touchdowns. He also rushed for 627 yards and 12 scores.
