The first quarterback to start a Super Bowl for two different franchises
In short: Before the era of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, one man achieved a rare feat of NFL history. Craig Morton navigated quarterback controversies and trades to lead two different organizations to the league's biggest stage, carving out an 18-year legacy defined by a powerful arm and enduring resilience.
Craig Morton’s career was defined by high-stakes transitions. Drafted fifth overall in the 1965 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, he initially served as a backup to Don Meredith. However, the early 1970s brought a legendary quarterback battle in Dallas. Morton split time with the ascending Roger Staubach, at times even alternating every single play. This internal competition eventually led to Morton being traded to the New York Giants in 1974 as part of a deal that brought defensive star Randy White to Dallas.
Morton’s most significant impact came after a period of struggle in New York, when he joined the Denver Broncos before the 1977 season. Under coach Red Miller, Morton became the veteran anchor for the 'Orange Crush' defense. During that campaign, he secured AFC Offensive Player of the Year and NFL Comeback Player of the Year awards, guiding Denver to a 12-2 tally and a Super Bowl berth. He remains one of only four quarterbacks to start a Super Bowl for two different franchises, alongside Kurt Warner, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning.
Despite his individual accolades, Morton’s Super Bowl starts often ended in heartbreak. He led the Cowboys to a 16-13 loss against the Colts in Super Bowl V to end the 1970 season. Seven years later, he led the Broncos to Super Bowl XII, but Denver fell 27-10 to his former team, the Cowboys. By the time he retired following the strike-shortened 1982 season, Morton had amassed 27,908 career passing yards and 183 touchdowns, leaving a permanent mark on the game's history.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Craig Morton, quarterback for Cowboys and Broncos, dies at 83 : NPR
- Also: Craig Morton
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-craig-morton.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
