Broncos Ring of Fame Quarterback Craig Morton Dies at Age 83

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton died on May 9 at his home in Mill Valley, California, the Broncos announced on Monday. He was 83.

Morton famously wore No. 7 in Denver before the number later became synonymous with John Elway. He joined the Broncos in 1977 after stints with the Dallas Cowboys (1965-1973) and the New York Giants (1974-1976). Morton earned AFC Offensive Player of the Year honors in 1977 after leading Denver to a 12-2 regular-season record.

In the 1977 AFC Championship Game, Morton played through a hip injury that led to him spending days in the hospital ahead of the contest. He passed for 224 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos’ 20-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

During his six-year tenure in the Mile High City, Morton guided Denver to a pair of division titles and three playoff appearances, and 41 regular-season victories – the third-most by a quarterback in franchise history.

Morton’s 11,895 passing yards with the Broncos rank third in team history, trailing only Elway (51,475) and Peyton Manning (17,112). His 74 passing touchdowns with Denver rank third in franchise history, and his 14 game-winning drives rank second.

Morton is widely regarded as the third-best quarterback in team history behind Elway and Manning. He helped legitimize the Broncos as a franchise during the late 1970s, leading Denver to its first playoff appearance and a berth in Super Bowl XII.

In 1988, Morton was inducted into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. He was enshrined in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame two years prior in 1986.