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Super Bowl champion quarterback Craig Morton died last week at the age of 83, and his cause of death was revealed on Monday.
Morton died on May 9 of “acute respiratory failure due to severe sepsis due to a urinary tract infection,” a spokesperson for the Marin County, California, Bureau of Vital Statistics told the California Post.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton throws a pass during a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado, on August 12, 1978. (Malcolm Emmons/RED USA TODAY)
Kym Galloway, the former quarterback’s wife, told The Denver Post that Morton was tired of being in pain and dealing with his back.
“And he just said, ‘I give up. I’m ready to go. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’ve had an amazing life. And I’m just tired,” Galloway added. “And then… he said, ‘I’ve never said I give up in my life.'”
Morton was instrumental in helping the Broncos reach their first playoff appearance and ultimately leading them to Super Bowl XII during the 1977 campaign.
After going 12-2 during the season and earning playoff victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers and then-Oakland Raiders, Morton was named AFC Offensive Player of the Year. Morton also won the Sporting News Player of the Year, PFWA Comeback Player of the Year and UPI NFL MVP in 1977.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of #BroncosROF quarterback Craig Morton, who passed away Saturday at the age of 83,” the Broncos posted on social media.
Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton throws a pass during Super Bowl XII at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 15, 1978. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Broncos 27-10. (Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY Sports)
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Morton led the Broncos to two different division titles and three playoff berths during his six seasons with the franchise. He finished his career in Denver with 11,895 passing yards, the most in franchise history at the time.
Morton also led the Broncos in pass attempts (1,594) and completions (907). But Morton’s time with the Broncos was the second half of his NFL career.
He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965, the fifth overall pick out of Cal. Morton spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Cowboys, where he threw for 10,279 yards with 80 touchdowns and 73 interceptions. He was 32-14-1 in his time with Dallas.
Then, during the 1974 season, Morton was traded to the New York Giants, a division rival to the Cowboys. He went 1-6 in his first seven starts that year and would not find much success in New York for three seasons.
New York Giants quarterback Craig Morton throws the ball under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Andy Russell during a preseason game at Palmer Stadium in Princeton, New Jersey, on August 30, 1975. (Malcolm Emmons/RED USA TODAY)
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Over his career, Morton threw for 27,908 yards with 183 touchdowns. He owned a record of 81-62-1 in 207 games.
