Former Broncos quarterback Craig Morton, who led Denver to its first Super Bowl appearance and is a member of the franchise’s Ring of Honor, died at home at 83 on Saturday, the team announced.
Joining the Broncos in 1977, the former Cal star guided the team to Super Bowl XII, a 27-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Morton was named the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year after posting a 12-2 record and 1,929 passing yards with 14 touchdowns that season. Finishing his career with the Broncos in 1981, he was inducted into the team’s Ring of Fame in 1988.
Morton spent nine-plus seasons (1965-74) with the Dallas Cowboys, who drafted him No. 5 overall in the 1965 NFL Draft, then played parts of three seasons with the New York Giants (1974-76) before joining the Broncos.
Morton trails only Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and John Elway in Broncos’ passing yards with 11,895. Morton ranks third with 74 passing touchdowns and second in game-winning drives to Elway with 14.
Over his 18-year NFL career, Morton finished 81-62-1 with 2,053 completions for 27,908 yards and 183 touchdown passes. He also rushed for 627 yards and 12 scores.
