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Larry Craig Morton (born February 5, 1943) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. He played college football for the California Golden Bears, receiving All-American honors, and was selected by the Cowboys fifth overall in the 1965 NFL draft. Following nine seasons with the Cowboys, a quarterback controversy with Roger Staubach led to Morton joining the New York Giants for three seasons. He spent his final six seasons as a member of the Broncos, winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year and AFC Offensive Player of the Year in 1977.

Key Information

Morton is the first starting quarterback to appear in the Super Bowl with more than one franchise, having helped lead the Cowboys to Super Bowl V and the Broncos to Super Bowl XII. He is also the only quarterback to start for multiple franchises in their inaugural Super Bowl appearance. Morton was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

Early life

[edit]

Morton is a 1961 graduate of Campbell High School in Campbell, California, where he received All-state honors in football baseball and basketball. In football, he received honors as a senior.

As a pitcher, Morton received offers from major league teams to play in their minor league systems. Morton was voted Northern California high school athlete of the year as a quarterback and was selected to play in the annual California Shrine High School football game.

College career

[edit]

Morton played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, under head coach Marv Levy and assistant coach Bill Walsh, both future NFL head coaches and members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Morton became the starter in the sixth game of his sophomore season in 1962. Back then his nickname was "Big Hummer" and his production dominated the Golden Bears offense output.

As a sophomore in 1962, he only played in the last five games because of a knee injury he suffered in practice while returning punts. He still managed 905 passing yards, a 54% completion rate and 9 touchdowns. As a junior in 1963 he already owned most of Cal's all-time quarterback records.

In his three seasons as a starter at Cal, he never played on a winning team. He completed 185 of 308 passes for 2,121 yards and 13 touchdowns in his senior season in 1964, but even with a losing 3–7 record, he was recognized for his talent and contributions by being named first-team All-American over other winning quarterbacks. He also received the W. J. Voit Memorial Trophy, given to the best player on the Pacific Coast and the Pop Warner Trophy, given to the best senior player. In the balloting for the Heisman Trophy won by John Huarte of Notre Dame, Morton was seventh, ahead of Joe Namath of Alabama and Gale Sayers of Kansas.[1][2]

Morton finished his college career with 4,501 passing yards (a Pac-8 record), and most of Cal's All-time passing records, including:

  • Touchdown passes in one game (5)
  • Touchdown passes in a season (13)
  • Touchdown passes in a career (36)
  • Total yards in one game (285)
  • Passing yards in a career (4,501)
  • Passing yards in a season (2,121)
  • Most passing completions and attempts in one game
  • Most passing completions and attempts in a season
  • Most passing completions and attempts in one game

In 1964 as the starting quarterback for the West, he faced Roger Staubach in the East–West Shrine Game, which was a sign of things to come.

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame and the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.

Professional career

[edit]

Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

Morton was selected by the Dallas Cowboys fifth overall in the 1965 NFL draft. He spent his first four seasons as the backup for Don Meredith, but still received opportunities to play due to periodic injuries suffered by Meredith.

In 1969, he became the starter at quarterback over Roger Staubach, after Meredith's unexpected retirement. Morton dislocated a right finger in preseason and had to miss the season opener. In the next three games, he had a 71.1% passing percentage and was seen as having a promising future as the starter. In the fourth game against the Atlanta Falcons, he suffered a separated right shoulder after being tackled by Tommy Nobis. In the next contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, he set club records with 10 consecutive passes and 5 touchdown passes in a single game, although he sat most of the second half. He did not miss any games because of his shoulder, but his effectiveness decreased to 53.6% the rest of the season, as he caused more damage.[3] He had surgery on his right shoulder during the offseason.[4]

In 1970, although he was bothered most of the season recuperating from his right shoulder surgery, he finished third in the NFL in passer rating with 89.8. He also led the Cowboys to Super Bowl V, where the team lost 16–13 to the Baltimore Colts. He had surgery on his right elbow during the offseason.

In 1971, head coach Tom Landry created one of the most famous quarterback controversies in NFL history,[5] when he began alternating Morton with Staubach as the starting quarterback, reaching its extreme against the Chicago Bears, where they alternated between plays. After this famous game, Landry settled on Staubach and the Cowboys went on a 10-game winning streak that included a 24–3 victory in Super Bowl VI over the Miami Dolphins.

In 1972, Staubach suffered a separated right shoulder in the third preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams and Morton was named the starter. Although Staubach was activated in the fifth game of the season, by then Morton was entrenched at quarterback. For the first time since 1969, his arm had regained its strength, helping him register 185 completions (club record) out of 339 attempts (54.6%), 2,396 yards (fifth in the league), 15 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.[6] He was replaced late in the third quarter of the first-round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. Staubach entered an apparently hopeless situation trailing 28–13 and threw two touchdown passes in the last 90 seconds to win the game 30–28,[7] eventually sealing Morton's fate with the team.

On March 18, 1974, he was selected by the Birmingham Americans in the second round (18th overall) of the WFL Pro Draft. On April 10, after repeatedly asking for a trade, Morton signed a contract with the Houston Texans of the World Football League for their 1975 season. He never played a down with them; he was traded to the New York Giants six games into the 1974 season,[8] in exchange for their number-one draft choice in 1975 (#2-Randy White) and a second-round draft choice in 1976 (#40-Jim Jensen).[9]

New York Giants

[edit]

After acquiring Morton, the Giants traded their starting quarterback Norm Snead to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a third-round draft choice in 1975 and a fourth in 1976.[10] During his time with the Giants, he struggled along with the team, and "felt the vocal wrath of the fans."[11] He was traded to the Denver Broncos in 1977 in exchange for quarterback Steve Ramsey and a fifth-round draft choice in 1978 (#137-Brian DeRoo). In his 34 career games with the Giants over three seasons, he had an 8–25–0 record, throwing for a total of 5,734 yards, 29 touchdowns, 49 interceptions and a 52.1 completion percentage.

Denver Broncos

[edit]

At age 34, Morton revived his career with the Broncos,[12] finishing the season as the second-rated passer in the AFC. Morton was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year for 1977 and selected All-AFC by the Sporting News. Although he suffered in the playoffs from a swollen left hip that needed to be drained,[13] he overcame the injury to become the first NFL quarterback to start the Super Bowl for two different teams (Dallas in V and Denver in XII), a feat only equaled by Kurt Warner, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady.[14] Morton is also the only quarterback to have started for two different teams' inaugural Super Bowl appearances. Unlike Warner, Manning, and Brady, however, Morton would not win a Super Bowl as a starter. He threw a franchise playoff record four interceptions in Denver's defeat against his former team, the Cowboys, which led to him being pulled in favor of Norris Weese.

Morton's best statistical season came in his penultimate 17th season in 1981, when he threw for 3,195 yards and 21 touchdowns and had a 90.5 passer rating. He was a downfield passer not known for his mobility, but is one of the all-time leaders in yards per completion. He briefly held the record for the most consecutive passes completed. His 8.5 yards per attempt that season remains a Broncos franchise record, as do his 54 sacks, and two games where he was sacked seven times each (later matched by Elway and Tim Tebow). He was sacked 54 times in 1981, a team record for 41 years and still among the highest amount of sacks suffered by any quarterback in one season past the age of 35 in NFL history.[15]

Morton wore number 7 for the Broncos and retired just before the arrival of celebrated rookie John Elway in 1983,[16] who wore the same number and in whose honor it was retired. Morton remains the third all-time passing yards leader in franchise history with 11,895 and his regular-season record was 50 wins and 28 losses in five seasons.

In 1986, Morton was inducted to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Denver Broncos' Ring of Fame in 1988.

NFL career statistics

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Comp Att Yards TD Int Rate Att Yds Avg TD
1965 DAL 4 1 17 34 173 2 4 45.0 3 −8 −2.7 0
1966 DAL 6 0 13 27 225 3 1 98.5 7 50 7.1 0
1967 DAL 9 3 69 137 978 10 10 67.7 15 42 2.8 0
1968 DAL 13 1 44 85 752 4 6 68.4 4 28 7 2
1969 DAL 13 13 162 302 2,619 21 15 85.4 16 62 3.9 1
1970 DAL 12 11 102 207 1,819 15 7 89.8 16 37 2.3 0
1971 DAL 10 4 78 143 1,131 7 8 73.5 4 9 2.2 1
1972 DAL 14 14 185 339 2,396 15 21 65.9 8 26 3.2 2
1973 DAL 14 0 13 32 174 3 1 76.8 1 0 0.0 0
1974 DAL 6 0 2 2 12 0 0 91.7 1 0 0.0 0
NYG 8 7 122 237 1,510 9 13 61.3 4 5 1.2 0
1975 NYG 14 14 186 363 2,359 11 16 63.6 22 72 3.3 0
1976 NYG 12 12 153 284 1,865 9 20 55.6 15 48 3.2 0
1977 DEN 14 14 131 254 1,929 14 8 82.0 31 125 4.0 4
1978 DEN 14 13 146 267 1,802 11 8 77.0 17 71 4.2 0
1979 DEN 14 10 204 370 2,626 16 19 70.6 23 13 0.6 1
1980 DEN 12 9 183 301 2,150 12 13 77.8 21 29 1.4 1
1981 DEN 15 15 225 376 3,195 21 14 90.5 8 18 2.2 0
1982 DEN 3 3 18 26 193 0 3 51.1 1 0 0.0 0
Total 207 144 2,053 3,786 27,908 183 187 73.5 215 627 2.9 12

Coaching career and later life

[edit]

Following his playing career, Morton served as head coach for the Denver Gold of the United States Football League (USFL). He was a voter in the Harris Interactive College Football Poll, a component of college football's now-defunct Bowl Championship Series.

In 2008, he co-authored a book with Denver Post writer Adrian Dater entitled "Then Morton Said to Elway..." - The Best Denver Broncos Stories Ever Told. The book was published by Triumph Books.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Craig Morton

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Craig Morton (born February 5, 1943) is a former American professional football who played 18 seasons in the () from 1965 to 1982, most notably as a starter for the , , and . Born in , Morton attended the , where he was a three-year starting for the Golden Bears from 1962 to 1964, breaking nearly every school passing record and setting Pac-8 Conference marks with 2,121 yards, 308 attempts, and 185 completions in his senior year. He earned first-team honors as a senior, along with All-West Coast and All-AAWU selections, the Award as the most valuable senior on the West Coast, and Northern California Back of the Year for three straight seasons. Over his college career, Morton completed 355 of 641 passes for 4,501 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading the AAWU in passing twice despite his teams compiling a 7-18 record in his starts. Selected fifth overall by the in the , Morton served primarily as a to until Meredith's retirement after the 1968 season, after which he became the starter beginning in 1969. In 1970, he led the in yards per attempt (8.8) and guided the Cowboys to a 10-4 record and an appearance in , a 16-13 loss to the . He finished fourth in MVP voting that year and was part of the Cowboys' victory over the , though as a to . Traded to the midseason in 1974, Morton started the remainder of that year through 1976, compiling an 8-25 record as starter amid the team's struggles. Acquired by the Denver Broncos in a 1977 trade with the Giants, Morton revitalized his career as the Broncos' primary starter from 1977 to 1982, leading them to an AFC Championship and their first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XII following a 12-2 regular season, though they lost 27-10 to the Dallas Cowboys. In 1977, he earned first-team All-Pro honors, the AFC Player of the Year award, and finished second in NFL MVP voting. He became the first quarterback to start Super Bowls for two different teams, a distinction he held until 1995. Over his NFL career, Morton appeared in 207 games (158 starts), passing for 27,908 yards, 183 touchdowns, and 187 interceptions with a 73.5 ; he also rushed for 613 yards and 13 touchdowns. His best statistical season came in 1969 with , when he threw for 2,619 yards, 21 touchdowns, and an 85.4 . Morton was inducted into the in 1992 and the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988, as well as the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Early years

Early life

Larry Craig Morton was born on February 5, 1943, in Flint, Michigan. His family relocated to California during his childhood, settling in the Campbell area near San Jose.

High school career

Craig Morton attended Campbell High School in Campbell, California, where he emerged as a standout multi-sport athlete. He participated in football, basketball, and baseball, earning all-state honors in each sport during his high school years. As a quarterback on the football team, Morton demonstrated exceptional leadership and skill, establishing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in Northern California by his senior year in 1961. Morton's high school football career highlighted his potential as a professional prospect, with notable performances that drew attention from scouts and coaches. He was selected to play in the prestigious California Shrine Game, an all-star showcase for top high school talent in the state. His versatility across sports underscored his athletic prowess, as he excelled in multiple disciplines while maintaining a reputation as a dedicated competitor. During the recruitment process, Morton's talents extended beyond football, attracting professional offers in that he ultimately declined in favor of pursuing his passion for the gridiron at the collegiate level. This decision paved the way for his commitment to the , where his abilities would further develop. In 2024, Morton was inducted into the California High School Football Hall of Fame.

College career

University of California

Craig Morton enrolled at the , in 1961 after receiving a from the program, having been recruited from Campbell High School in , where he excelled as a and baseball . As a in 1961, Morton served as a backup under , who had taken over the program the previous year and implemented a more pass-oriented offense. The Golden Bears struggled that season, finishing with a 1-8-1 record, but Morton's potential was evident in practice and limited appearances. By his year in 1962, he transitioned to the starting role, holding the position for three seasons through 1964, even after Levy departed following the 1963 campaign and was replaced by Ray Willsey. Morton's on-field contributions were central to Cal's offense during a challenging period, as the team compiled a 1-9 record in 1962, a 4-5-1 mark in 1963, and 3-7 in 1964, winning just seven of the 25 games in which he started overall. He showcased a strong arm capable of long throws, completing passes with accuracy in Levy's system, which emphasized quick decisions to counter defensive pressures. Key performances included rivalry games like the annual Big Game against Stanford; in 1962, Cal fell 30-13 despite Morton's efforts to rally the Bears, and in 1963, the matchup—postponed a week due to President John F. Kennedy's assassination—was played on November 30, resulting in a 28-17 loss for Cal after Morton threw for significant yardage but couldn't overcome turnovers. Under Levy's guidance and with input from assistant coach Bill Walsh, Morton's decision-making evolved, focusing on reading defenses and distributing the ball efficiently, though the team's talent shortages limited overall success.

Achievements and records

During his three-year varsity career at the , Craig Morton amassed impressive passing statistics, including 36 passes and a 55.4% completion rate over 25 games, despite the Bears winning only seven contests in that span. These figures underscored his individual excellence amid team struggles, as he threw for a Pac-8 record 4,501 career passing yards and led the AAWU in passing twice. Morton shattered nearly every school passing record of his era, holding marks in touchdown passes, total yards, attempts, and completions upon graduation; his 36 touchdown passes stood as the Cal benchmark for 25 years. As a senior in 1964, he further cemented his legacy by setting Pac-8 single-season records with 2,121 passing yards, 308 attempts, and 185 completions, while achieving a 60.1% completion rate and touchdown passes in 16 consecutive games. That standout senior campaign earned Morton first-team All-American honors from multiple prestigious selectors, including the , , Newspaper Enterprise Association, and others, along with All-West Coast and All-AAWU selections, despite the Bears' 3-7 record. He also received the Award as the most valuable senior on the West Coast and was named Back of the Year for three straight seasons. His recognition highlighted his pivotal role in elevating Cal's offense, finishing seventh in voting. Morton's college contributions were formally honored with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992, where selectors emphasized his All-American performance on underperforming teams and record-setting efficiency as a quarterback who thrived in challenging circumstances.

Professional playing career

Dallas Cowboys

Craig Morton was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the fifth overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, following a standout college career at the University of California where he earned All-American honors. His early professional years were spent as a backup to veteran quarterback Don Meredith from 1965 to 1968, during which he learned the intricacies of Tom Landry's complex defensive-minded system and offensive schemes that emphasized ball control and precision passing. This apprenticeship period allowed Morton to develop his skills while contributing sparingly in relief appearances, helping the Cowboys establish themselves as a perennial contender in the NFL's Eastern Conference. Meredith's unexpected retirement after the 1968 season elevated Morton to the starting role in 1969, where he guided the team to an 11-2-1 record. In after the 1970 season, Morton started for but threw a critical to linebacker Mike Curtis with under a minute remaining, sealing a 16-13 upset loss in a game marked by numerous turnovers and penalties. Despite the heartbreak, Morton's leadership during those two seasons solidified his place in Cowboys lore, as he demonstrated poise in managing Landry's Flex defense integration with a balanced attack featuring running backs like and . The 1971 season brought significant turmoil at the quarterback position when Landry implemented a controversial platooning system, alternating starts between Morton and rookie based on game plans and perceived matchups. This experiment divided the locker room and fanbase, with players expressing skepticism over the instability at such a pivotal role, ultimately leading to Staubach emerging as the preferred starter by mid-season. Morton reverted to a capacity thereafter, appearing in 101 games total over his decade with and posting a 32-14-1 record as a starter while accounting for 10,279 passing yards and 80 touchdowns during his tenure.

New York Giants

In October 1974, Craig Morton was traded from the to the for the Giants' first-round pick in the 1975 NFL Draft (second overall, used to select White) and a second-round pick in the . The trade occurred on October 23, amid Morton's declining role as a backup in Dallas behind starter , which had prompted him to flirt with the and refuse to report to practice to force a move. Upon joining the Giants, Morton immediately became the starting , appearing in eight games (seven starts) for the remainder of the 1974 season, during which the team went 1-6 in those contests as part of an overall 2-12 finish. Morton's full seasons as the Giants' primary starter came in 1975 and 1976, periods marked by ongoing team struggles and his own performance challenges. In , he started all 14 games, leading the Giants to a 5-9 record while facing relentless pressure from a porous offensive line that left him vulnerable to sacks and hurried throws. The following year, Morton started 12 of 14 games in , contributing to a dismal 3-11 overall mark as the franchise grappled with broader dysfunction, including coaching instability under Bill Arnsparger and a lack of talent across the roster. These issues manifested in Morton's on-field difficulties, such as low completion percentages around 50% and a high rate, exacerbated by inadequate protection that resulted in him being "destroyed on a weekly basis." Fan frustration boiled over, with Morton frequently booed at home games, reflecting the team's losing culture during this low point in Giants history. Morton's tenure with the Giants ended after the 1976 season when he was traded to the on March 7, 1977, in exchange for quarterback Steve Ramsey and a fifth-round draft pick in the . This move closed a challenging two-and-a-half-year stint in New York, where the once-promising veteran could not overcome the team's systemic shortcomings despite his experience.

Denver Broncos

Morton was traded to the from the New York Giants in 1977 in exchange for quarterback Steve Ramsey and a fifth-round draft pick. At age 34, he quickly revitalized his career as the starting , completing 280 of 500 passes for 2,897 yards and 16 touchdowns over 14 games, earning him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. Under his leadership, the Broncos achieved their first playoff appearance that season, defeating the 34–21 in the Divisional Round and the 37–21 in the before losing 27–10 to the in , the franchise's first appearance. Morton's tenure marked the Broncos' most successful period to date, with career-high performances from 1977 to 1979, including 2,897 passing yards and a league-leading 57.8% completion rate in , 2,309 yards in 1978, and 2,865 yards with 18 touchdowns in , guiding the team to three consecutive playoff berths and two titles. He formed a potent "M&M Connection" with , contributing to the Orange Crush defense's rise and establishing as a contender. However, injuries began to plague Morton starting in 1980, including a persistent hip issue that limited his mobility and effectiveness; he started only nine games in 1982 amid further ailments and was replaced late in the season. He retired after the 1982 campaign, concluding his six-year stint with the Broncos having amassed 11,895 passing yards and 74 touchdowns—records that ranked first in franchise history at the time but now place third in yards behind and .

Career statistics

Regular season

Craig Morton appeared in 207 regular-season games across his 18-year NFL career from 1965 to 1982, starting 158 contests and posting an 86-72 record as a starter. He accumulated 27,908 passing yards, 183 touchdowns, and 187 interceptions, finishing with a career completion percentage of 54.2% on 2,053 completions out of 3,786 attempts. Morton's rushing output totaled 230 carries for 1,103 yards and 8 touchdowns over his career.
TeamYearsGamesStartsRecordCmp/AttYdsTDIntRtgRush YdsRush TD
1965–19741165034-16702/1,35510,985778172.34126
1974–197642418-33484/9526,287295259.41450
1977–1982496744-23867/1,47910,636775477.85462
Career1965–198220715886-722,053/3,78627,90818318773.51,1038
With the from 1965 to 1974, Morton served primarily as a backup to early on, seeing limited action in his first few seasons before emerging as the starter in 1969 and 1970. That year, he threw for 2,619 yards and 21 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, leading to a 10-2-1 record while posting a 53.6% completion rate. He followed with a career-high 2,396 passing yards in 1972, though marred by 21 interceptions, as went 10-4. His Dallas tenure yielded 10,985 passing yards and 77 touchdowns overall, with completion percentages hovering around 50-54% amid inconsistent starting opportunities. Morton's three seasons as the full-time starter for the from 1974 to 1976 were challenging, as the team struggled defensively and offensively. In 1975, he passed for 2,359 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in a 5-9 finish, with a 51.2% completion rate. The following year brought further regression, with 1,824 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in a 3-11 campaign, though his completion percentage ticked up to 52.3%. Across his Giants stint, he compiled 6,287 yards and 29 touchdowns with an 8-33 record as starter. Revitalized after joining the in 1977, Morton enjoyed his most successful stretch, starting most games in his six seasons there and helping transform the franchise. His peak came in , when he threw for a career-high 3,195 yards and 21 touchdowns against 14 interceptions, achieving a 59.8% completion rate en route to a 10-5 record. In 1977, despite modest 1,929 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, he directed an AFC-best 12-2 team with strong efficiency, limiting interceptions to eight. Morton's completion percentage trended upward in Denver, peaking at 60.8% in 1980 for 2,150 yards and 12 touchdowns, before a strike-shortened 1982 season. He amassed 10,636 passing yards and 77 touchdowns with the Broncos. Morton's overall numbers reflect the NFL's pre-pass-friendly era, where defensive rules permitted more physical contact on quarterbacks and receivers, suppressing passing volume and efficiency compared to later decades. Key rule changes in the mid-to-late , such as the 1975 " Rule" limiting downfield contact and the 1978 offensive protections, coincided with the uptick in his later performance, contributing to league-wide increases in passing yards and touchdowns by the early .

Postseason

GameDateResultCmp/AttYdsTDIntRtg
Divisional (vs. Lions)Dec 26, 1970W 5-04/18380123.8
NFC Championship (vs. 49ers)Jan 3, 1971W 17-107/221011068.7
(vs. Colts)Jan 17, 1971L 13-1612/261271341.3
Divisional (vs. Steelers)Dec 24, 1977W 34-2115/401932172.7
AFC Championship (vs. Raiders)Jan 1, 1978W 20-1710/2022421130.2
(vs. Cowboys)Jan 15, 1978L 10-274/1539040.0
Morton's most notable postseason appearance with the came in on January 17, 1971, against the at the in . Starting in place of an injured , Morton completed 12 of 26 passes for 127 yards and 1 touchdown—a 7-yard strike to Duane in the second quarter—but threw three interceptions, contributing to the ' 16-13 loss. The final interception, thrown to linebacker Mike Curtis in the fourth quarter with 35 seconds left, was returned 13 yards and set up the Colts' game-winning 32-yard by Jim O'Brien as time expired, marking a heartbreaking end to Dallas's first appearance. Earlier in the 1970 playoffs, Morton helped the Cowboys advance to the by winning the against the on January 3, 1971, at . He went 7 for 22 for 101 yards and 1 touchdown—a 5-yard pass to fullback Walt —with no interceptions in the 17-10 victory, relying on a strong defensive effort and field position to secure the win. In the preceding Divisional round against the on December 26, 1970, Morton completed 4 of 18 passes for 38 yards with 1 interception in a low-scoring 5-0 , where the Cowboys' defense dominated without needing much offensive output. These performances highlighted Morton's ability to manage games in high-pressure situations, though his accuracy was limited against playoff defenses. With the in the 1977 playoffs, Morton guided the team to their first berth, starting in both the Divisional and AFC Championship games. In the Divisional round against the on December 24, 1977, at , he completed 15 of 40 passes for 193 yards and 2 —including a 30-yard strike to tight end Riley Odoms and a 34-yard score to Jack Dolbin in the second half—while throwing 1 in a 34-21 comeback victory over the defending champions. The following week, in the AFC Championship against the on January 8, 1978, at , Morton was 10 of 20 for 224 yards and 2 , with 1 ; a pivotal 74-yard pass to in the fourth quarter sealed the 20-17 win and propelled to . These games showcased Morton's resilience, as he overcame early deficits with key aerial strikes despite playing through injuries. Morton's Super Bowl experience with the Broncos ended in disappointment during on January 15, 1978, against his former team, the , at the Louisiana Superdome. He struggled immensely, completing just 4 of 15 passes for 39 yards with 0 touchdowns and a record 4 interceptions, including two in the first half that led to early Dallas scores; the Broncos lost 27-10, and Morton's 0.0 remains one of the lowest in Super Bowl history. The performance underscored the intense pressure of the big stage, where the Cowboys' defense, led by Randy White and , sacked Morton three times and disrupted Denver's offense throughout. Over his postseason career, spanning 13 games with the and Broncos from 1966 to 1978, Morton completed 92 of 227 passes for 1,235 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, compiling a 44.0 ; while he earned wins in key playoff matchups, his turnovers in Super Bowls highlighted the challenges of performing under ultimate scrutiny.

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

After retiring from playing in 1982, Craig Morton transitioned into coaching, drawing on his extensive experience as a to mentor signal-callers and lead teams in the nascent (USFL). Morton began his head coaching tenure with the Denver Gold of the USFL in 1983, taking over midway through the season after the dismissal of Red Miller; he guided the team to a 3-3 finish in the Pacific Division that year. In 1984, his first full season as head coach, Morton led the Gold to a 9-9 record in the Western Conference's Pacific Division, finishing third despite a strong early 7-1 start that highlighted an effective offensive scheme built around quarterback Craig Penrose and running back Rick Parros. Over his two years with the Gold, Morton's overall record stood at 12-12, emphasizing a balanced attack that leveraged his quarterback insights to improve passing efficiency, though the team struggled with defensive inconsistencies and failed to reach the playoffs. In 1988, Morton returned to the Denver Broncos in the NFL as quarterbacks coach under head coach Dan Reeves, a role that capitalized on his legacy as the team's starting quarterback from 1977 to 1982, where he had set franchise passing records and led them to their first Super Bowl appearance. During his one season in this position, Morton worked with quarterbacks including , focusing on refining pocket presence and decision-making under pressure, though the Broncos finished 8-8 and missed the . No additional minor league or advisory coaching roles for Morton are documented beyond these positions.

Later life

Following his coaching tenure, Craig Morton retired to with his wife, Kim, in the late , where they have resided ever since. The couple enjoys a serene, low-key lifestyle centered on family, with Morton's routine featuring regular walks and rounds of to stay active. In , Morton co-authored the book Then Morton Said to Elway... The Best Stories with journalist Adrian Dater, offering fans an insider's collection of anecdotes from his time with the team. As of August 2025, Morton has been recovering from serious health issues, including back problems and , having spent about two months in on two occasions over the past five or six years. He expressed feeling better and looking forward to watching the ' season, particularly the performance of rookie quarterback . Morton maintains ties to the Denver Broncos alumni community, contributing autographed items to their charity fundraisers.

Awards and honors

Professional accolades

During his tenure with the Denver Broncos, Craig Morton earned significant recognition for his performance in the 1977 season, marking a remarkable resurgence after several challenging years with the New York Giants. He was awarded the NFL Comeback Player of the Year by the (PFWA) for leading the Broncos to their first playoff appearance and . Additionally, Morton received the (UPI) AFC Player of the Year honor, reflecting his leadership in guiding Denver to a 12-2 record and the top passing efficiency rating in the conference. Morton also garnered All-Pro acclaim that year, earning first-team All-AFC selection from after completing 131 of 254 passes for 1,929 yards and 14 touchdowns. He finished second in voting for the Award, behind quarterback , and second in Player of the Year voting. These accolades underscored Morton's pivotal role in revitalizing the Broncos' offense and securing the title. In 1981, Morton placed fourth in AP NFL MVP voting amid another strong season, but no further major individual honors were bestowed during his career.

Hall of Fame inductions

Craig Morton was inducted into the in 1992 by the National Football Foundation, recognizing his standout collegiate career at the , where he earned honors in 1964 despite the team's 3-7 record. That same year, he was also enshrined in the Hall of Fame for his role as a three-year starting , during which he shattered nearly every school passing record. In 1988, Morton was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame as part of a three-member class alongside teammates and Jim Turner, honoring his leadership in guiding the franchise to its first appearance in following the 1977 season. As the first Broncos to reach the , Morton's tenure with the team marked a pivotal shift in the organization's history, elevating its competitiveness and fanbase during a period of expansion in the NFL. Morton's legacy extended to regional honors, including induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 for his contributions to professional football in the state, and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, reflecting his impact from his Cal days through his NFL career.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MortCr00.htm
  2. https://calbears.com/sports/2016/6/27/210281497.aspx
  3. https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/craig-morton-no-38
  4. https://www.si.com/college/cal/best-of/top-50-cal-pros-no-29-craig-morton-twice-a-super-bowl-qb-01jyc9yr6jaa
  5. https://www.denverbroncos.com/team/tradition/ring-of-fame/craig-morton
  6. https://www.coloradosports.org/hall-of-fame/athletes/1986-inductees/craig-morton/
  7. https://bashof.org/inductee/craig-morton/
  8. https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/craig-morton-1992/
  9. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/craig-morton/1879
  10. https://www.si.com/college/cal/football/ex-cal-stars-jared-goff-craig-morton-and-ed-white-in-prep-hall-01j7mr8hbv6y
  11. https://www.cahighschoolfootballhof.com/members/2024/craig-morton-150/
  12. https://sjsa.org/craig-morton/
  13. https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/LISTEN/LISTEN19781201-V31-12.pdf
  14. https://www.profootballhof.com/players/marv-levy/
  15. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/california/1961.html
  16. https://calbears.com/honors/california-athletics-hall-of-fame/craig-morton/193
  17. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/california/1962.html
  18. https://calbears.com/sports/football/schedule/1963
  19. https://www.sfchronicle.com/collegesports/article/Cal-s-Craig-Morton-reflects-on-last-Big-Game-13434998.php
  20. https://ecsmsports.com/athlete/craig-morton/
  21. https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/cowboys/2024/02/26/roger-staubach-craig-morton-1971/79592516007/
  22. https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/star-long-before-romo-craig-morton-was-good-enough-347046
  23. https://nypost.com/1999/01/31/craig-mortons-super-dilemma/
  24. https://www.espn.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/74674/in-1972-roger-staubach-faced-what-tony-romo-is-facing
  25. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/career-passing.htm
  26. https://thelandryhat.com/posts/ranking-top-10-dallas-cowboys-quarterbacks-all-time-aikman-romo-prescott
  27. https://www.footballperspective.com/1970s-cowboy-heists-how-dallas-stole-three-stars-by-dominating-the-draft/
  28. https://corner.bigblueinteractive.com/index.php?mode=2&thread=634867
  29. https://www.nytimes.com/1974/10/24/archives/morton-happy-to-join-giants-mortons-happy-to-be-a-giant.html
  30. https://giantswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2018/12/27/new-york-giants-gamble-lose-craig-morton-throwback-thursday/80429652007/
  31. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MortCr00/gamelog/1974/
  32. https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/08/archives/giants-get-ramsey-for-morton-trade-with-broncos-spells-3man-battle.html
  33. https://www.denverpost.com/2011/11/16/craig-morton-denver-broncos-didnt-pass-up-super-bowl-season-in-1977/
  34. https://www.nfl.com/players/craig-morton/stats/
  35. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/where-are-they-now-craig-morton-19576278
  36. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/evolution-of-the-nfl-rules/
  37. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197101170clt.htm
  38. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197101030sfo.htm
  39. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197012260dal.htm
  40. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197712240pit.htm
  41. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197801010den.htm
  42. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197801150dal.htm
  43. https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/4/18/23029679/usfl-broncos-mile-high-stadium-remembering-the-denver-gold
  44. https://profootballarchives.com/coaches/mort00600.html
  45. https://profootballarchives.com/1984usflden.html
  46. https://funwhileitlasted.net/2011/08/28/1983-1985-denver-gold-usfl/
  47. https://www.usflsite.com/coach.php
  48. https://www.denverpost.com/2008/09/16/former-no-7-puts-pen-to-paper/
  49. https://www.denvergazette.com/2025/08/25/ex-broncos-star-qb-craig-morton-recovering-from-health-issues-looking-forward-to-bo-nix-era-525d342b-5fbc-4ad7-8ad4-75fbf78bee76/
  50. https://app.auctria.com/auction/DBAC2025
  51. https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1879
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