There are some NFL players whose names echo through history, and then there are those who quietly shaped the game, only to be remembered by the true die-hards. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton, who passed away this weekend at the age of 83, falls squarely into the latter category—and for fans of a certain era, his legacy is unforgettable.
It's easy to forget Morton in the shadow of legends. Before him, there was Don Meredith. After him, Roger Staubach took the reins and never let go. But for a stretch in the early 1970s, it was Morton, not Staubach, who held the starting job. Head coach Tom Landry trusted Morton's steady hand, even as Staubach struggled with inconsistency. In fact, many fans don't realize that Morton remained the Cowboys' starter longer than popular memory suggests.
One game, in particular, stands out—a classic clash against the Washington Redskins that still brings a smile to my face, year after year. The stage was set in the 1972 preseason when Staubach went down with a serious injury. Morton stepped up and led Dallas to a 10-4 record and a playoff berth. But when he faltered the following week against San Francisco, Landry made the switch to Staubach, who engineered a dramatic 30-28 comeback win over the 49ers. That performance earned Staubach the starting nod for the NFC Championship game against the Redskins. The result? A brutal 26-3 loss, as Washington's defense harassed Staubach all day long.
Fast forward to the 1973 season. Staubach started every game, including a Monday Night Football showdown in Washington on October 8. Once again, the Redskins' defense made life miserable for him—sacking him six times and forcing him out of the game after a dismal 9-for-17 performance for just 101 yards. Enter Craig Morton. But the Redskins weren't done yet. With the score tied 7-7 in the fourth quarter, Morton dropped back to pass, trying to escape the grasp of defensive tackle Diron Talbert. Under pressure, he lofted a weak, ill-advised pass about 15 yards to his right. Redskins safety Brig Owens read it perfectly, jumped the route, and returned the interception 26 yards for a touchdown. RFK Stadium erupted.
Back in my family's living room in Berryville, Virginia, I was jumping up and down too. But here's the thing about Craig Morton: he never quit. After that crushing pick-six, he regrouped, showed his composure, and led the Cowboys back down the field. It was a moment that defined his career—not just the mistake, but the resilience to fight back. And for those of us who remember, that's the real legacy of a quarterback who deserves more than a footnote in NFL history.