Craig Morton, a quarterback whose career spanned nearly two decades and etched his name in NFL history as the first to lead two different franchises to their inaugural Super Bowl appearances, has died. He was 83.
The Denver Broncos, where Morton is a Ring of Fame member, announced his passing on Monday. His family confirmed he died at his home in Mill Valley, California, on Saturday, May 9th.
Morton’s distinction of being the first quarterback to start for two teams in their first Super Bowl — first with the Dallas Cowboys and later with the Denver Broncos — stands as a singular achievement in league annals. His tenure with the Broncos saw him guide the team to two division titles and three playoff berths, culminating in their first Super Bowl appearance.
Statistical Footprint
During his time in Denver, Morton amassed 11,895 passing yards, a figure that still ranks third in franchise history, trailing only Peyton Manning and John Elway. He added 74 passing touchdowns and secured 41 regular-season wins as a starter for the Broncos, placing him third all-time in that category as well. His statistical output in Denver included 1,929 yards and 14 touchdowns in one notable season. Across his entire career, Morton threw for 183 touchdowns and 27,908 yards.
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Career Trajectory
Morton’s professional journey began with the Dallas Cowboys, where he initially started over a young Roger Staubach before Staubach eventually claimed the starting role. He later joined the New York Giants, receiving commendation from the team for his leadership and camaraderie. He concluded his playing days with the Broncos.
Before his professional career, Morton enjoyed a distinguished college football tenure at Cal. His high school days saw him excel in multiple sports, earning All-State honors in three. His college coaches included future Hall of Famers Marv Levy and Bill Walsh.
