Craig Morton, Broncos Ring of Famer, Dies at 83

Craig Morton, the former quarterback who led the Denver Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance, died Saturday at his home in Mill Valley, California. He was 83.

The Broncos announced Morton's death on Monday, stating he passed away surrounded by loved ones. A member of the team's Ring of Fame, Morton quarterbacked Denver from 1977 to 1982, compiling franchise records at the time for passing yards with 11,895, passing touchdowns with 74, pass attempts with 1,594 and completions with 907. He trails only Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and John Elway in Broncos passing yards and ranks third in touchdown passes.

Morton's tenure with Denver marked the high point of his 18-year NFL career. In 1977, he guided the Broncos to a 12-2 regular-season record, their first playoff berth, division title and appearance in Super Bowl XII. Denver defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders in the playoffs before losing 27-10 to the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl, where Morton threw four interceptions against his former team. For that season, in which he passed for 1,929 yards and 14 touchdowns, Morton earned AFC Offensive Player of the Year honors along with the Sporting News Player...