Craig Morton was an American professional football quarterback known for being the first player in NFL history to start a Super Bowl for two different franchises. He gained public attention for leading the Dallas Cowboys to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1970 and later resurrecting his career to take the Denver Broncos to their first Super Bowl in 1977.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Craig Morton
Age: 83 (born February 5, 1943 – died May 9, 2026)
Nationality: American
Occupation: Professional Football Player (Quarterback)
Known For: First QB to start Super Bowls for two franchises (Cowboys and Broncos); member of College Football Hall of Fame and Broncos Ring of Fame
Marital Status: Married to Kym Morton
Children: Yes, number not publicly specified
Early Life and Background
Morton was born in Flint, Michigan, on February 5, 1943. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a two-sport athlete, excelling in both football and baseball for the Golden Bears. Despite playing on struggling teams at Cal, he set a Pac-8 conference record with 4,501 passing yards. In 1992, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his collegiate achievements.
Career and Achievements
Morton was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the fifth overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, also drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the AFL draft . He spent his early years backing up “Dandy” Don Meredith before becoming the Cowboys’ starter in 1969.
In the 1970 season, Morton led Dallas to its first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl V, throwing the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl touchdown pass, though the Cowboys lost 16-13 to the Baltimore Colts. The following year, he shared quarterback duties with Roger Staubach, and while Staubach led the team to victory in Super Bowl VI, Morton earned a championship ring as a backup.
Following a trade to the New York Giants (1974-1976), Morton struggled but found a career renaissance when the Broncos acquired him in 1977. That season, at age 34, he led Denver to a 12-2 record and the franchise’s first playoff appearance, including playoff wins over the Steelers and Raiders. He famously spent the week in the hospital with a hip injury before leading the team past Oakland in the AFC Championship Game.
The Broncos advanced to Super Bowl XII, where Morton faced his former team, the Cowboys, losing 27-10. Despite the loss, Morton was named AFC Offensive Player of the Year, NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and the Sporting News Player of the Year for 1977.
Over 18 NFL seasons, Morton played 207 games (144 starts), completing 2,053 of 3,786 passes for 27,908 yards, 183 touchdowns, and 187 interceptions, with a career record of 81-62-1. He was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988 and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.
Why He Is In the News
Morton is in the news after his death on May 9, 2026, in Mill Valley, California, at age 83, surrounded by loved ones . All three of his former NFL teams the Cowboys, Giants, and Broncos issued tributes, with the Broncos calling him a “Ring of Famer” who “led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance”. He is survived by his wife, Kym; sister; children; and grandchildren.
Conclusion
Craig Morton was a resilient quarterback whose 18-season NFL career bridged two eras of professional football. He remains one of only four quarterbacks alongside Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Kurt Warner to start Super Bowls for two different teams, and his legacy as the quarterback who put both the Cowboys and the Broncos on the Super Bowl map endures.
