Craig Morton, the First QB to Start for Two Teams in a Super Bowl, Passes Away at 83

Craig Morton, a trailblazing quarterback at both the college and professional levels, passed away on Saturday, May 9, at 83 years old. His family confirmed the news, with the two NFL teams Morton was most associated with—the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos—making the news public.

Morton is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, courtesy of his career at the University of California, Berkeley. He was an All-American there, left as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, and finished his college career as the then all-time leader in passing yards in the Pac-8.

In the NFL, Morton became the first quarterback in league history to lead two separate teams to the Super Bowl. He started in the Big Game with both Dallas and Denver, losing both contests, but he did win a Super Bowl ring as a Cowboys backup to Roger Staubach. Kurt Warner, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady have since joined Morton as the only quarterbacks to start for two teams in a Super Bowl.

Morton was the No. 5 overall pick by the Cowboys in 1965, while also being a 10th-round pick by the Oakland Raiders of the AFL that year. The Cowboys remembered Morton with a message shortly after his passing.

“We are saddened to learn of Craig’s passing,” a team statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Morton spent most of his first four NFL seasons as a backup with Dallas, in favor of coach Tom Landry rolling with Don Meredith as the starter. After Meredith’s surprise retirement at 31 years old after the 1968 season, Morton took over and would hold the starting job for most of the next three seasons. However, Staubach soon entered the picture and would seize the QB1 job in 1973, which led to Morton’s eventual departure the next season.

During his time in Dallas, Morton led the Cowboys to an appearance in Super Bowl V in the 1970 season. However, he threw three interceptions in the contest as the Baltimore Colts defeated the Cowboys, 16–13. The next year, the Cowboys would break through and win the Big Game, however, Staubach was steering the ship as Morton was subjected to backup duty.

During the 1974 season, Morton, still a backup, was traded to the New York Giants, with whom he spent two-and-a-half years as a starter. However, Morton posted just an 8–25 record as a starter in New York before being traded to Denver before the 1977 season.

Much wasn’t expected of the then-34-year-old with a Broncos franchise that had never made the postseason in any of its previous 17 years in either the AFL or NFL. But Morton revitalized his career in Denver, leading it to a Super Bowl appearance in his first season there and finishing as runner-up in MVP voting. The Broncos, ironically, faced off against Staubach and the Cowboys in Super Bowl XII, but the outcome of this game was similar to the first one for Morton. He threw four interceptions and zero touchdowns as Denver fell to Dallas, 27–10.

Morton would remain as the Broncos’ starter until the 1982 season, when, after three games, he was benched in favor of Steve DeBerg. The then-39-year-old announced his retirement at season’s end, and his No. 7 Broncos jersey would then be assumed by John Elway just months later when the Broncos acquired him in the 1983 NFL Draft.

Over his 18-year career, Morton posted an 81–62–1 regular season record and a 5–5 postseason record. He threw 183 touchdowns, 187 interceptions, and had a 73.5 passer rating. Morton, who was sacked a league-high 54 times in his final full season as a starter, ranked first in NFL history, with 405 times sacked when he hung up his cleats after the 1982 season.

Archie Manning would break Morton’s times-sacked record the following season, and Manning released a statement after Morton’s passing. Manning is on the College Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors, and Morton was enshrined in that hall in 1992.

“Craig Morton embodied excellence on the field, leadership under pressure, and a lifelong commitment to the game,” said Manning. “Despite playing on teams that struggled in the win-loss column, Craig’s remarkable talent, toughness and competitive spirit made him one of the most respected quarterbacks of his era. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Craig’s family, friends, teammates and the entire Cal community during this difficult time.”

In addition to the College Football Hall of Fame, Morton is a member of the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, and the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was inducted into the Denver Broncos’ Ring of Honor in 1988.