Former NFL quarterback Craig Morton, the man who led the Denver Broncos to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, passed away on May 9 at his home in Mill Valley, California. He was 83. The Broncos confirmed the news on Monday, sparking an outpouring of tributes from across the league.
Morton spent six seasons with the Broncos from 1977 to 1982, and his impact on the franchise was nothing short of legendary. In 1977, he guided Denver to its first playoff berth and a trip to Super Bowl XII. The team finished the regular season with a 12-2 record, then notched home playoff wins over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders before falling 27-10 to the Dallas Cowboys—Morton's former team—in the big game. Despite throwing four interceptions in the Super Bowl, his regular-season heroics were undeniable.
That 1977 season was a career-defining campaign. Morton was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year, The Sporting News Player of the Year, the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year, and the NFL UPI MVP. He even played through a hip injury in the AFC Championship Game against the Raiders, spending days in the hospital before the contest—a testament to his grit and toughness.
During his Broncos tenure, Morton led the team to two division titles and three playoff appearances. He retired as the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards (11,895), passing touchdowns (74), pass attempts (1,594), and completions (907). His 41 regular-season wins still rank third in Broncos history, a mark that underscores his consistency and leadership.
Morton's legacy was cemented in 1988 when he was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame, two years after his induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He originally entered the NFL as the fifth overall pick in the 1965 draft by the Dallas Cowboys, where he played until 1974. After losing the starting job to Roger Staubach, he was traded to the New York Giants before finding his home in Denver.
With the Cowboys, Morton threw for 10,279 yards and 80 touchdowns. Over his entire career, he amassed 183 touchdown passes and 27,908 passing yards, winning 81 regular-season games. His journey from a promising rookie in Dallas to a Broncos icon is a story of resilience and reinvention—one that every football fan can admire.