Trending Now - Craig Morton, Super Bowl Champion, Dies at 83; Cause Revealed

WHO:

Fox News - Craig Morton, Super Bowl champion quarterback, died at the age of 83.

Fox News - Kym Galloway, wife of Craig Morton, provided details about his condition and final words.

Daily Mail Sports - Craig Morton had a Hall of Fame college football career with Cal.

WHAT:

Fox News - Craig Morton died from "acute respiratory failure due to severe sepsis due to urinary tract infection."

Fox News - Morton was critical in helping the Denver Broncos reach their first-ever playoff appearance and Super Bowl XII during the 1977 campaign.

Fox News - Morton was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year, Sporting News Player of the Year, PFWA Comeback Player of the Year, and NFL UPI MVP in 1977.

Fox News - Morton finished his career in Denver with 11,895 passing yards, the most in franchise history at the time.

Fox News - Morton led the Broncos to two division titles and three playoff berths during his six seasons with the franchise.

Fox News - Over his career, Morton threw for 27,908 yards with 183 touchdowns and had an 81-62-1 record across 207 games.

WHERE:

Fox News - Morton died in Marin County, California.

Fox News - Morton played for the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants.

WHEN:

Fox News - Craig Morton died on May 9.

Fox News - Super Bowl XII took place on January 15, 1978.

WHY:

Fox News - Kym Galloway stated that Morton was tired of being in pain and dealing with his back, leading to his final words: "I give (up). I’m ready to go. I don’t want to do this anymore."

HOW:

Fox News - Morton was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965 as the fifth overall pick out of Cal.

(UPDATED May 19, 2026 11:55 UTC)

Craig Morton, the Super Bowl champion quarterback known for his Hall of Fame career at Cal, has passed away at the age of 83 in Marin County, California. He died from acute respiratory failure due to severe sepsis linked to a urinary tract infection, and his wife, Kym Galloway, shared that his final words expressed his exhaustion from pain. Morton was instrumental in leading the Denver Broncos to their first playoff appearance and Super Bowl XII, finishing his career with nearly 11,900 passing yards, which was the most in franchise history at the time.