Horse Tracks: Remembering Craig Morton

Morton, drafted by the Cowboys in 1965, joined the Broncos in 1977 and led them to their first playoff appearance, first AFC Championship and first Super Bowl berth that season.

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With the help of the Orange Crush defense, Morton secured home playoff wins over two stalwart franchises, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders, on the way to Super Bowl XII. Morton had even spent several days in the hospital for a hip injury just before the Raiders game, where he led the Broncos

Facing off against his former team, Morton and the Broncos fell short in Super Bowl XII, losing 27-10 behind eight turnovers.

For his performance during that 1977 season, Morton was named the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Year as well as Pro Football Writers of America’s Comeback Player of the Year and Sporting News’ Player of the Year.

“Craig Morton is unbelievable. To me he’s the most valuable player in the National Football League this year.”

HAVEN MOSES, New YOrk times 1978

As a Bronco, Morton led the team to two division titles and three playoff berths, finishing his career in Denver as the quarterback with the most passing yards (11,895), passing touchdowns (74), pass attempts (1,594) and completions (907) in franchise history at the time. John Elway would shatter those records, but Morton’s 41 regular-season wins remains the third most in franchise history.

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In his 18-year career that began with the Cowboys and included a stint with the Giants, Morton threw for 183 touchdowns and 27,908 yards. He was the first quarterback in NFL history to start in two Super Bowls — Super Bowl V with the Cowboys in a losing effort to the Baltimore Colts and of course Super Bowl XII in a losing effor to his former team, 27-10.

Morton’s time in Denver is often overshadowed by the dominance of the Orange Crush defense that was the identity of the franchise in its quest for relevancy, but he was a crucial piece of that rise.

Morton was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988 along with Haven Moses and Jim Turner.

Just before Super Bowl XII and after Denver had toppled the mighty Raiders in the AFC Championship, Moses told the New York Times that Morton was his MVP.

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“Craig Morton is unbelievable,” said the 32‐year‐old wide receiver who caught two touchdown passes from Morton in that game and earned the game ball from his teammates. “To me he’s the most valuable player in the National Football League this year.”