The cause of death of Super Bowl champion Craig Morton has been revealed at the age of 83
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Super Bowl champion quarterback Craig Morton died last week at the age of 83, and on Monday, the cause of his death was revealed.
Morton died on May 9 of “severe respiratory failure due to severe sepsis from a urinary tract infection,” a spokeswoman for the Office 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, Colo., on Aug. 12, 1978. (Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Kim Galloway, the former linebacker’s wife, told the Denver Post that Morton is tired of being in pain and dealing with his back.
“And he just said, ‘I’m quitting. I’m ready to go. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’ve had an amazing life. And I’m just tired,'” adds Galloway. “And then … he said, ‘I’ve never said quit, in my life.’
Morton was instrumental in helping the Broncos reach their first ever playoff appearance, eventually reaching Super Bowl XII during the 1977 campaign.
After going 12-2 during the season and winning in the playoffs over the then-Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders, Morton was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year. Morton also won Sporting News Player of the Year, PFWA Comeback Player of the Year and NFL UPI MVP in 1977.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of #BroncosROF linebacker Craig Morton, who died on Saturday at the age of 83,” the Broncos wrote on social media.
Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton throws a pass during Super Bowl XII at the Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 15, 1978. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Broncos 27-10. (Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY Sports)
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Morton led the Broncos to two separate division titles and three playoffs during his six seasons with the franchise. He finished his career in Denver with 11,895 passing yards, which was the most in franchise history at the time.
Morton also led the Broncos in passing attempts (1,594) and completions (907). But Morton’s time with the Broncos was the last part of his NFL career.
He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965, the fifth 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 went 32-14-1 during his time with Dallas.
Then in the 1974 season, Morton was traded to the New York Giants, a rival of the Cowboys. He went 1-6 in his first seven games that year and didn’t find much success in New York in 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, NJ, on Aug. 30, 1975. (Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY NETWORK)
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For his career, Morton threw for 27,908 yards with 183 touchdowns. He had a record of 81-62-1 in 207 games.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
