Who Was Craig Morton? NFL Player Had Started Super Bowl, Left Behind Wife, Kids, Had Lost His Job

Craig Morton was the NFL quarterback who helped create the identity of the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos. Craig had become the first player in history to kick off a Super Bowl for two varied franchises. In a piece of heartbreaking news, he died at the age of 83. His family had confirmed his demise, reportedly on May 9, 2026. Craig was surrounded by his loved ones when he took his last breath.

Craig Morton took his last breath at his house in Mill Valley, California, according to a report by Artvoice.com. The Denver Broncos had confirmed the demise of Craig, who had played for three of the top organisations in professional football. The Denver Broncos had taken on X to write off being saddened to learn of the passing of BroncosROF quarterback Craig Morton, who died. Morton quarterbacked the Broncos from 1977-82 and led the team to its first playoff appearance and Super Bowl berth (XII vs Dallas) in the 1977 season.

Craig Morton had inaugurated a historic Super Bowl record

Craig Morton had spent the last leg of his career with the Broncos, and his most enduring legacy came with the Broncos back in 1977. At 34, Craig's career was revitalised, and he helped the Broncos to their first playoff appearance and Super Bowl berth. This was during the 1977 season. The team had gone 12-12 that year, like in the regular season, and then had lost to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XII. Craig earned multiple honours for his epic performance, including the NFL Comeback Player of the Year and the AFC Offensive Player of the Year. Well, later quarterbacks like Kurt Warner, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady also achieved similar success. Morton remained the only one to start the Super Bowl appearance.

Craig Morton left behind his wife, Kim, his kids and his grandchildren

Craig Morton has left behind his wife, Kym, sister, his kids and also his grandchildren. Craig's record in football has been unrepeatable. He took two varied franchises to like the biggest game in football in an era where reaching the Super Bowl was not easy. It required adaptability, durability, and the ability to make his teams believe in what he was doing. Craig Morton had spent 18 years with the Broncos. He was first with the Cowboys, and after the franchise selected him, he was picked for the 1965 NFL Draft. Craig had spent a decade with the Cowboys, then the New York Giants in 1974. After spending two years there in 1977, he landed with the Broncos.

Craig Morton had lost his job in Dallas

For the unversed, Craig Morton was born back on February 5, 1943, in Flint, Michigan. He grew up in California and then went to the  University of California at Berkeley. Craig was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Draft, 1965. The Oakland Raiders had also taken him in the AFL Draft, 10th round. Craig then reportedly went to Dallas to join a Cowboys team which was coached by Tom Landry that had Don Dandy Meredith at the quarterback.

Craig Morton had to face competition

In 1964, the Cowboys drafted Roger Staubach after he had completed his military service. By 1971, he seemed to be a strong contender and head coach, Tom Landry had decided to switch Craig and Roger at quarterback. This unusual system created one of the most famous quarterback controversies in NFL history. While Morton was the established starter and had led the team to success, Staubach’s mobility, playmaking ability, and leadership increasingly impressed the coaching staff. Another report by the publication also revealed that a separated right shoulder somewhere had disturbed the momentum.

Craig Morton's struggles in New York

The Giants had shown no pity to Craig Morton. He had struggled in New York at a time when his career was at its peak and on the downward slope. The talent had then taken Dallas to a Super Bowl. Craig had faced many professional difficulties with The Giants. His career seemed to be at an end until, in 1977, the Denver Broncos called and traded for Craig.

Craig Morton once played with a swollen hip

A week before the AFC Championship Game, which was against Oakland, Morton had to be hospitalised. This is because he had a swollen left hip, which had to be drained. He did play anyway. Well, then, in 1977, the Denver Broncos had not expected to do many phenomenal things with a new head coach. However, the Orange Crush season had got Denver Broncos a new name and Morton, according to a profile of the Denver Gazette, had said:

“It was a magical seaso. We weren’t expected to do anything with a new coach and a new quarterback. But we couldn’t lose, and the fans were amazing. You’d go into a restaurant, and they would literally stand up and clap in celebration.”

Rest in peace, Craig Morton.

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