Broncos Ring of Fame quarterback Craig Morton dies at age 83

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton died at age 83 on Saturday, the team announced.

Morton wore No. 7 years before John Elway arrived in Denver. After stints with the Dallas Cowboys (1965-1973) and New York Giants (1974-1976), Morton joined the Broncos as a veteran journeyman in 1977, and he promptly took the club to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history (a 27-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XII).

After helping Denver to a 12-2 record in 1977, Morton was named the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year. Morton threw for 1,929 yards and 14 touchdowns that season. His yards ranked 13th and his TDs ranked ninth in 1977. Morton went on to spend the final six years of his career with the Broncos, and he was inducted into the team's Ring of Fame in 1988.

Morton's 11,895 passing yards in Denver rank third in franchise history, only trailing Peyton Manning and John Elway. His 74 passing touchdowns also rank third, and his 14 game-winning drives are second only to Elway.

The team said Morton passed away at his home in California on Saturday.

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