Legendary Cowboys QB Craig Morton has passed away at the age of 83

The Dallas Cowboys community is mourning the loss of a legend on Monday. Quarterback Craig Morton, a pivotal figure in the franchise's early rise to prominence, has passed away at the age of 83. Morton led the Cowboys to their first ever championship appearance, Super Bowl V against QB Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts.

The former Cowboys signal-caller leaves behind a legacy defined by resilience, leadership, and lasting impact on one of the NFL's most iconic organizations.

The Cowboys selected Morton fifth overall in the 1965 NFL Draft after a stellar career at the University of California, where he would spend nine full seasons under legendary head coach Tom Landry.

Although the Cowboys ultimately fell short in their first Super Bowl appearance, Morton's steady hand helped lay the groundwork for future success. His contributions during the late 1960s and early 1970s were instrumental in establishing the Cowboys identity as "America's Team."

Mortons's tenure in Dallas was marked by both triumph and adversity, including a well documented quarterback competition with Roger Staubach in which both players famously took turns running plays on offense.

Despite the challenges, Morton remained a consummate professional. Midway through his 10th NFL season, Morton was traded to the New York Giants, playing two and a half seasons before landing with the Denver Broncos.