{"id":1931148,"date":"2026-05-12T12:59:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T09:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931148"},"modified":"2026-05-12T12:59:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T09:59:58","slug":"craig-morton-former-broncos-and-cowboys-quarterback-dead-at-83","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931148","title":{"rendered":"Craig Morton, Former Broncos and Cowboys Quarterback, Dead at 83"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/95\/16by9\/2026\/05\/12\/9577626ef8184b0497c714419513ae1a_xl.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"article article--permalink \">\n<header class=\"article__header\">\n<h1 class=\"article__header--headline-title\">Craig Morton, Former Broncos and Cowboys Quarterback, Dead at 83<\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"article__header--headline-fragments\"><span class=\"article__header--hf1 text-uppercase h3\">Craig Morton<\/span><span class=\"article__header--hf2 text-uppercase h1\">Former Broncos QB Dead at 83<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"social-media-container\" role=\"region\">\n<ul class=\"social social--sm\">\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\"><\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tmz.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"js-track-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"google-preferred-btn\" src=\"https:\/\/static.tmz.com\/tmz-web\/img\/article\/google-preferred-source.png\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline\">By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/pages\/about\/\">TMZ Staff<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"date-wrapper\">\n                                                                        Published <time class=\"published-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-05-12T05:59:58-07:00\"><br \/>\n                              May 12, 2026<br \/>\n                            5:59 AM PDT<\/time><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article__blocks clearfix\">\n<section id=\"cb-d165d6417d2a144d6db8b426fe65f806\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-gallery-block canvas-gallery-block-permalink canvas-gallery-block--default  canvas-block-is-first \">\n<div class=\"gallery-block\"><a id=\"gallery-link-ea29370f-57ee-4bf2-a4d4-9e2555b0d16c\" class=\"media-link gallery-block__link js-track-link js-click-gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/photos\/2026\/05\/12\/remembering-nfl-craig-morton\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:gallery:ea29370f-57ee-4bf2-a4d4-9e2555b0d16c\" data-context='{\"name\":\"gallery-block\",\"section\":\"permalink\"}' data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:e110e673-b413-41cb-b164-4f356e71605d\" data-gallery-layout=\"list\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/95\/4by3\/2026\/05\/12\/9577626ef8184b0497c714419513ae1a_md.jpg\" alt=\"Remembering NFL Craig Morton\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid gallery-block__img-fluid img-aspect-4by3\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"media-icon--overlay gallery-block__media-icon--overlay\"><span class=\"media-icon-label gallery-block__media-icon-label\">Launch Gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<footer class=\"media-footer gallery-block__media-footer\"><span class=\"media-launch-text gallery-block__media-launch-text\">Remembering Craig Morton<\/span><span class=\"media-cta gallery-block__media-cta\"><br \/>\n              Launch Gallery<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/footer>\n<p><span class=\"media-credit gallery-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-f383eabd2b8aeb96184b067d55f31e09\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p><strong>Craig Morton<\/strong> &#8212; the former Denver Broncos quarterback who led them to their first Super Bowl appearance &#8212; has died.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-463e7b70bbb01c34ac40879cdbf27211\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>He passed on Saturday surrounded by his loved ones in Mill Valley, California, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverbroncos.com\/news\/broncos-mourn-passing-of-ring-of-fame-qb-craig-morton\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>according to the Broncos<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-7c722de1c820b96c38d286c90060d42a\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-twitter-tweet-block canvas-twitter-tweet-block-permalink canvas-twitter-tweet-block--default  \">\n<div id=\"cb-7c722de1c820b96c38d286c90060d42a-1345972947-target\" class=\"d-flex justify-content-center\">\n      <a class=\"twitter-timeline\" data-width=\"500\" data-height=\"750\" data-dnt=\"true\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Broncos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">Tweets by Broncos<\/a><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-b6ccabb468f7ee105081c77ddb26956a\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>A cause of death was not immediately revealed.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-dcf640d0cc5c384923793a83bf3271c4\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>The Ring of Famer led the Broncos for 6 seasons between 1977 and 1982, helping them secure their first playoff appearance and spot in Super Bowl XII. He was named AFC&#8217;s Offensive Player of the Year and the NFL UPI MVP for the 1977 season, among other accolades.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-45148fb9504cd40a4e63b623d2df7322\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>The following year, Haven Moses called him &#8220;the most valuable player in the National Football League,&#8221; per the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1978\/01\/02\/archives\/moses-morton-and-the-moment-sports-of-the-times-flow-38-for.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>New York Times<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-4eab1f18f486d6f4df048647fd2e11a3\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20260512_2cc30964cf6a40fd849915091f6af130\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:e110e673-b413-41cb-b164-4f356e71605d\" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"image\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/2c\/4by3\/2026\/05\/12\/2cc30964cf6a40fd849915091f6af130_md.jpg\" alt=\"Craig Morton cowboys getty 1\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-2a69fabc7357156de290473b81fc5419\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>But, his legacy is not just with the Broncos &#8212; he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965 and played with them for an impressive 9 seasons with an overall record of 32-14-1.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-f542ebd23c9fa9275434d969ef2163a6\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>He transferred to the New York Giants &#8212; a division rival of the Cowboys &#8212; in 1974, but unfortunately did not find much success with the team &#8230; opening his time with the team with a 1-6 record. He played with them for 3 seasons before being traded to the Broncos, where his career was revived.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-58f9f55291c7ef8a4da3f1d0b9c01aef\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20260512_d97dd751f04449e2a84350a52fe36186\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:e110e673-b413-41cb-b164-4f356e71605d\" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"image\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/d9\/4by3\/2026\/05\/12\/d97dd751f04449e2a84350a52fe36186_md.jpg\" alt=\"Craig Morton broncos getty 1\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-d8a923c7f6a87fa7aec764b32fbc9002\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>Morton was named Comeback Player of the Year for the 1977 season, in addition to his other titles. He exited the NFL after the 1982 season and was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988, along with Moses and <strong>Jim Turner<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-951a580a095ecabaa5d997f2d8ba5612\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>He is survived by his wife, <strong>Kym<\/strong>; his sister; his children; and his grandchildren.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-70641eb03a88c14e49ed83e10029c8bc\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>He was 83.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-5952bcce218791c4e1a1c3dc2322aaa4\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  canvas-block-is-last \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>RIP<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<ul class=\"social social--permalink\">\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--facebook js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/05\/12\/craig-morton-dead\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:e110e673-b413-41cb-b164-4f356e71605d\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"facebook-footer\",\"pos\":1}'><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--x js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/05\/12\/craig-morton-dead\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:e110e673-b413-41cb-b164-4f356e71605d\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"twitter-footer\",\"pos\":2}'><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on X<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"related-articles\">\n<header class=\"card-section-header related-articles__card-section-header\">\n<h3 class=\"card-section-title related-articles__card-section-title\">\n              Related articles<br \/>\n            <\/h3>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"row related-articles__row\">\n<div class=\"col related-articles__col\">\n<article class=\"related-articles__card\"><a class=\"related-articles__card-link js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/05\/11\/jeff-probst-brother-dead\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:e110e673-b413-41cb-b164-4f356e71605d\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"related-article\",\"pos\":1}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-img ratio\">\n<div class=\"ratio-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/a1\/16by9\/2026\/05\/11\/a19466f8896745c6b4bebf7272cd5fe6_xs.jpg\" alt=\"Jeff Probst and brother getty comp\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-body\">\n<h4 class=\"related-articles__card-title\">\n                        &#8216;Survivor&#8217; 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src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/95\/16by9\/2026\/05\/12\/9577626ef8184b0497c714419513ae1a_xl.jpg&#8221;] Craig Morton, Former Broncos and Cowboys Quarterback, Dead at 83 Craig MortonFormer Broncos QB Dead at 83 By TMZ Staff Published May 12, 2026 5:59 AM PDT Launch Gallery Remembering Craig Morton Launch Gallery Getty Craig Morton &#8212; the former Denver Broncos quarterback who led them to their first Super Bowl appearance [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,77],"class_list":["post-1931148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tmz-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1931148"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931148\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1931148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1931148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1931148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}