Craig Morton
- Dallas Cowboys (1965-1974)
- New York Giants (1974-1976)
- Denver Broncos (1977-1982)
Larry Craig Morton ( born February 5, 1943 in Flint, Michigan, United States), nicknamed " The Ghost", is a former American professional American football player. He played in the National Football League ( NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos quarterback.
Playing career
College career
Craig Morton studied from 1962 to 1964 at the University of California. At college, he played for the "California Golden Bears" quarterback football. Morton was in all three years of the game starting quarterback of the team. In his senior year he was elected because of his athletic achievements to the All- American.
Professional career
Morton was drafted in 1965 by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round in fifth place. The Oakland Raiders of the American Football League (AFL ) indicated Morton interest and pulled him in the 10th round to 75th place of the AFL Draft. Morton signed a professional contract with the coached by Tom Landry team from Dallas. Landry sat Morton used as a backup quarterback Don Meredith of. Only after Meredith had set after the 1968 season to rest, Morton came as a starter for use. In his first season as a regular player, he led his team to the play- offs, but where you failed in the first round to the Cleveland Browns. Also in 1970, he moved with the team to the playoffs. After a 5-0 victory over the Detroit Lions, a 17:10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game Morton standing with his team in the Super Bowl. Opponents of the Cowboys were coached by Don McCafferty Baltimore Colts, who could prevail against the Cowboys in Super Bowl V with 16:13. While Morton still showed an attractive performance in the regular season, his performance in the final round were unconvincing. Only 23 of his 66 passes were caught, his two touchdowns were offset by four interceptions.
In 1969, the Cowboys committed with Roger Staubach a promising young quarterback, who at first could not prevail against Morton himself. However, Morton won in 1971, only one of four games and Staubach solves it then from a starting quarterback. He led the team in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco and after a 14:3 victory over the team from California in the Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins. The team of coach Don Shula had in the game the Cowboys with 24:3 beaten. In the 1972 season Morton could take his former position during the season again after a serious shoulder injury Staubach. He led the Cowboys again in the play-offs but was again replaced in the final round of Staubach. Craig Morton moved during the 1974 season to the New York Giants. Until 1976 he was the master quarterback of the team from New York City.
1977 Morton was hired by the Denver Broncos. He took under coach Red Miller immediately the role of starting quarterback. After a season with twelve wins from two defeats Morton was able to move into the play- offs with the team from Denver. After a 34:21 victory over the Chuck Noll assisted Pittsburgh Steelers in Divisional play -off game, he won with his team 's AFC Championship Game against the Oakland Raiders at 20:17. In both games, Morton had been able to achieve two touchdowns. In Super Bowl XIII then the Broncos faced the Cowboys. Morton had a bad day, threw four interceptions and was thus instrumental in the defeat of his team 27:10. In the years 1978 and 1979 Morton led his team again in the play- off round, but where do you always eliminated in the first round. A title he did not manage until the end of his career in 1982.
After the career
Craig Morton is a partner in a restaurant in San Francisco.
Honors
Craig Morton was once elected to the All- Pro. The Denver Broncos honor him at Invesco Field at Mile High on the Ring of Honor He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and in the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.