Longtime NFL quarterback Craig Morton, who led the Denver Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance, died on Saturday.
He was 83.
Morton spent the end of his career with the Broncos, and he helped lead them to their first ever playoff appearance and Super Bowl berth during the 1977 season. The team went 12-2 that year in the regular season, but ended up losing to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XII.
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Morton spent 18 years in the league in total, first with the Cowboys after the franchise selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. He spent a decade with the Cowboys, though they dealt him to the New York Giants during the 1974 campaign. He was there for more than two years before landing with the Broncos for the 1977 campaign.
Morton retired after the 1982 season. He finished with more than 27,900 passing yards with 183 touchdowns and 187 interceptions. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Cowboys during the 1971 season, too, when he served as the team’s backup behind Roger Staubach.
“We are saddened to hear of Craig’s passing,” the Giants said in a statement. “He was a great leader and teammate. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
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This post will be updated with more information shortly.
