Broncos mourn passing of Ring of Fame QB Craig Morton The Denver Broncos have lost a Ring of Famer as former quarterback Craig Morton passed away on May 9, 2026, according to his family. Morton, who led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance, spent six seasons with the team from 1977 to 1982. His career with Denver included guiding the team to its first playoff berth and a Super Bowl XII berth in 1977. During that season, Morton compiled a 12-2 record and secured home playoff victories against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. His standout performance earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Year award, as well as the Sporting News Player of the Year, PFWA Comeback Player of the Year, and NFL UPI MVP honors for 1977. Haven Moses, another Ring of Famer, praised Morton’s impact, stating in a 1978 New York Times article, "Craig Morton is unbelievable. To me, he's the most valuable player in the National Football League this year." Morton’s resilience was highlighted during the 1977 AFC Championship Game, where he played through a hip injury that required hospitalization days before the matchup against the Raiders. Despite the challenge, he led the Broncos to a critical victory. Throughout his Broncos tenure, Morton led the team to two division titles and three playoff appearances. He finished his career with franchise records for passing yards (11,895), passing touchdowns (74), pass attempts (1,594), and completions (907). His 41 regular-season wins remain the third-highest in franchise history. Morton was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988, joining Moses and Jim Turner. He was also honored in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.#denver_broncos #craig_morton #ring_of_fame #mill_valley_california #college_football_hall_of_fame
