Craig Morton
The quarterback who led Denver to its first Super Bowl and earned Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year at age 34.
Craig Morton revived his career with the Denver Broncos at age 34, leading the team to its first Super Bowl appearance in 1977. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Year and received the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award that season. Morton was the first quarterback to start the Super Bowl for two different franchises—doing so for Dallas in Super Bowl X and Denver in Super Bowl XII—a feat since matched by only one other player. He played his final six NFL seasons with the Broncos, setting a single-season franchise record for sacks while wearing number 7. He retired just before John Elway's arrival in 1983, leaving as the third all-time passing yards leader in franchise history with 11,895 yards and a 39–22 regular-season record.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Quarterback
- Born
- 5 February 1943
- Birthplace
- Flint, Michigan, U.S.
- Died
- 9 May 2026
- Place of death
- Greenbrae, California, U.S.
- Draft round
- 1
- Draft pick
- 5
- High school
- Campbell (Campbell, California)
Lore & Background
Morton's 1977 season with the Broncos was a remarkable revival. At 34, he finished as the second-rated passer in the AFC, earning Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year and All-AFC honors from the Sporting News. Despite a swollen left hip that needed draining during the playoffs, he led Denver to Super Bowl XII against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys. He threw a franchise playoff record four interceptions in that loss and was pulled for Norris Weese. Morton is the first quarterback to start for two different teams' inaugural Super Bowl appearances — Dallas in Super Bowl X and Denver in Super Bowl XII.
Reader's Guide
Morton wore number 7 for the Broncos and retired just before the arrival of rookie John Elway in 1983, who wore the same number and in whose honor it was retired. Morton remains the third all-time passing yards leader in franchise history with 11,895 yards. His regular-season record with Denver was 50 wins and 28 losses over five seasons. He was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Denver Broncos' Ring of Fame in 1988. After his playing career, Morton served as head coach for the Denver Gold of the USFL and co-authored a book with a Denver Post writer in 2008.
Did You Know?
- His 8.5 yards per attempt in 1981 was a strong mark but not a Broncos franchise record (John Elway's 9.9 in 1987 is higher).
- Morton was sacked 54 times in 1981, a team record that stood for 41 years.
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