
"Morton spent his college days at California, where he enjoyed a prolific run from 1962-64. He played his first two years under future Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Marv Levy. Bill Walsh, another future Hall of Fame head coach, was on Levy's staff as a receivers coach during Morton's first season. A three-year starter who broke numerous school records, the strong-armed Morton was inducted into both the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992."
"After Morton threw for over 4,500 yards and 36 touchdowns in 30 games at Cal, the Cowboys chose him fifth overall in the 1965 NFL Draft. The Raiders selected Morton in the 10th round of the AFL draft in the same year, but he chose to sign with Dallas. Morton spent his first four years backing up Don Meredith before finally becoming Dallas' starter in 1969. He helped the Cowboys to Super Bowl V in his second year at the helm, but they fell to the Baltimore Colts on a late field goal."
"While the Cowboys made their second straight Super Bowl trip to cap off the 1971 season, Morton no longer held the reins. Head coach Tom Landry named Roger Staubach the starter in Week 8, and the Cowboys went on to win their first Super Bowl in a 24-3 romp over the Dolphins. Staubach suffered a separated shoulder the next season, which led to Morton making 14 starts and leading the Cowboys to a 10-4 record. However, Landry pulled Morton for Staubach in a divisional round matchup against the 49ers."
"With Morton still stuck behind Staubach a couple of years later, he asked out of Dallas in 1974. A frustrated Morton signed with the Houston Texans of the World Football League"
Craig Morton died at age 83 after an 18-year NFL career with the Cowboys, Broncos, and Giants. He played college football at California from 1962 to 1964, starting for three years and breaking school records. He was inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992. The Cowboys selected him fifth overall in the 1965 NFL Draft, and he chose to sign with Dallas. After backing up Don Meredith, Morton became the Cowboys’ starter in 1969 and helped Dallas reach Super Bowl V, losing to the Baltimore Colts on a late field goal. He later lost the starting role to Roger Staubach, made starts during Staubach’s injury, and requested a trade in 1974.
Read at Pro Football Rumors
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