Craig Morton: Legendary Quarterback For The Dallas Cowboys

Who was Craig Morton and what was his impact on the Dallas Cowboys? Craig Morton was an American football quarterback who played for the Dallas Cowboys and other teams in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his strong arm and leadership skills, and helped lead the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory in 1972.

Morton was born in Alma, Michigan, in 1941 and began playing football at an early age. He attended Michigan State University, where he was a star quarterback and led the Spartans to a national championship in 1965. Morton was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 1965 NFL Draft, and he quickly became the team's starting quarterback.

Morton was a key member of the Cowboys dynasty of the 1970s, helping the team win two Super Bowls and five NFC Championships. He was known for his ability to make big plays and lead the team in come-from-behind victories. Morton was also a respected leader in the locker room, and he was known for his tough and competitive nature.

Morton retired from the NFL in 1974 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. He is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in Cowboys history, and his number 15 is retired by the team.

Here is a table with some of Craig Morton's personal details and career highlights:

| Name | Born | College | NFL Teams | Career Highlights ||---|---|---|---|---|| Craig Morton | Alma, Michigan, USA | Michigan State University | Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers | 2x Super Bowl champion, 5x NFC champion, Pro Bowl selection, NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award |

Craig Morton was a key figure in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, and his contributions to the team's success will never be forgotten.

Craig Morton

Craig Morton's career with the Dallas Cowboys was marked by several key aspects that contributed to his success as a quarterback and the team's overall achievements:

• Leadership: Morton was a respected leader in the locker room and on the field, known for his tough and competitive nature.
• Strong Arm: He possessed a strong arm that allowed him to make big plays and lead the team in come-from-behind victories.
• Accuracy: Morton was known for his accuracy, which helped him complete passes to his receivers in crucial situations.
• Clutch Performer: He was a clutch performer who often played his best in big games, including the Cowboys' two Super Bowl victories.
• Durability: Morton was a durable player who rarely missed games due to injury.
• Team Success: Morton was a key member of the Cowboys dynasty of the 1970s, helping the team win two Super Bowls and five NFC Championships.

These key aspects combined to make Craig Morton one of the greatest quarterbacks in Cowboys history. He was a leader, a playmaker, and a winner, and he played a vital role in the team's success during one of the most dominant eras in NFL history.

1. Leadership

Craig Morton's leadership was a key component of his success with the Dallas Cowboys. He was a respected leader in the locker room and on the field, and his tough and competitive nature helped to motivate his teammates and drive the team to success.

Morton's leadership was evident in several ways. He was always willing to speak his mind and challenge his teammates when necessary. He was also a vocal supporter of his teammates, and he always had their backs. Morton's leadership was especially important during the Cowboys' two Super Bowl victories. In both games, Morton led the team on game-winning drives in the fourth quarter.

Morton's leadership was a major factor in the Cowboys' success during the 1970s. He was a true leader, and he helped to create a winning culture in Dallas.

The importance of leadership in sports cannot be overstated. A good leader can motivate his teammates, keep them focused, and help them to achieve their goals. Craig Morton was a great leader, and he played a major role in the Dallas Cowboys' success.

2. Strong Arm

Craig Morton's strong arm was a major factor in the Dallas Cowboys' success during the 1970s. He was able to make big plays and lead the team in come-from-behind victories, which helped the Cowboys win two Super Bowls and five NFC Championships.

• Accuracy: Morton's strong arm allowed him to make accurate passes to his receivers, even when they were well covered. This accuracy was a key factor in the Cowboys' success, as it allowed Morton to complete passes in crucial situations and move the chains.
• Deep passes: Morton's strong arm also allowed him to throw deep passes, which helped the Cowboys to stretch the field and create big plays. This was a major threat to opposing defenses, as it forced them to respect the Cowboys' passing game and prevented them from stacking the box to stop the run.
• Come-from-behind victories: Morton's strong arm was often a key factor in the Cowboys' come-from-behind victories. In several games, Morton led the Cowboys on game-winning drives in the fourth quarter, often throwing long passes to move the ball down the field quickly.

Craig Morton's strong arm was a major asset to the Dallas Cowboys during the 1970s. It allowed him to make big plays, lead the team in come-from-behind victories, and helped the Cowboys to become one of the most dominant teams in the NFL.

3. Accuracy

Craig Morton's accuracy was a key component of his success with the Dallas Cowboys. He was able to consistently complete passes to his receivers, even when they were well covered. This accuracy was a major factor in the Cowboys' success, as it allowed Morton to move the ball down the field and score points.

There are several examples of Morton's accuracy in crucial situations. In the 1972 NFC Championship Game, Morton completed a key pass to wide receiver Lance Alworth on 4th and 10 with just over two minutes remaining in the game. This pass helped set up the Cowboys' game-winning field goal.

Morton's accuracy was also a major factor in the Cowboys' Super Bowl VI victory. In that game, Morton completed 12 of 19 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. His accuracy helped the Cowboys control the ball and keep the Dolphins' offense off the field.

Overall, Craig Morton's accuracy was a major factor in the Dallas Cowboys' success during the 1970s. He was able to consistently complete passes to his receivers, even in crucial situations. This accuracy helped the Cowboys to move the ball down the field and score points, which led to numerous victories.

4. Clutch Performer

Craig Morton was known as a clutch performer, someone who always seemed to play his best in big games. This was evident in the Cowboys' two Super Bowl victories, as well as in many other games throughout his career.

• Pressure Situations: Morton thrived in pressure situations. He was able to stay calm and focused, even when the game was on the line. This was evident in the 1972 NFC Championship Game, when Morton led the Cowboys on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.
• Big Plays: Morton was also able to make big plays when his team needed them most. He was known for his ability to throw long passes and hit his receivers in stride. This was evident in Super Bowl VI, when Morton threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Lance Alworth to give the Cowboys the lead in the fourth quarter.
• Leadership: Morton's leadership was also a key factor in his success as a clutch performer. He was able to motivate his teammates and keep them focused, even when things were tough. This was evident in the 1975 NFC Championship Game, when Morton led the Cowboys to a come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
• Experience: Morton's experience was also a major factor in his success as a clutch performer. He had played in many big games throughout his career, and he knew how to handle the pressure. This was evident in Super Bowl XII, when Morton led the Cowboys to a victory over the Denver Broncos.

Overall, Craig Morton was a clutch performer who always seemed to play his best in big games. His ability to stay calm under pressure, make big plays, and lead his team to victory was a major factor in the Cowboys' success during the 1970s.

5. Durability

Craig Morton's durability was a key component of his success with the Dallas Cowboys. He was able to stay healthy and play in almost every game, which allowed him to be a consistent leader for the team.

There are several examples of Morton's durability throughout his career. In 1970, he started all 14 games for the Cowboys, despite playing behind a struggling offensive line. In 1971, he started all 14 games again, and he led the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory.

Morton's durability was also evident in the playoffs. In the 1972 NFC Championship Game, he played the entire game despite suffering a broken rib. He also played the entire game in Super Bowl VI, despite being sacked six times.

Overall, Craig Morton's durability was a major factor in the Dallas Cowboys' success during the 1970s. He was able to stay healthy and play in almost every game, which allowed him to be a consistent leader for the team.

6. Team Success

Craig Morton's team success with the Dallas Cowboys is an integral part of his legacy as a quarterback. Morton was a key member of the Cowboys dynasty of the 1970s, helping the team win two Super Bowls (VI and XII) and five NFC Championships (1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, and 1978). His contributions to the team's success were significant, and he played a pivotal role in their dominance during that era.

Morton's leadership, strong arm, accuracy, clutch performances, and durability all contributed to the Cowboys' success. He was able to consistently lead the team down the field and put them in a position to score points. His ability to make big plays in crucial moments was also a major factor in the Cowboys' many victories.

Morton's success with the Cowboys is a testament to his talent and dedication. He was a key member of one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, and his contributions helped the Cowboys achieve lasting success.

FAQs about Craig Morton and the Dallas Cowboys

Here are some frequently asked questions about Craig Morton and his time with the Dallas Cowboys:

Question 1: How many Super Bowls did Craig Morton win with the Dallas Cowboys?

Craig Morton won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys: Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII.

Question 2: What was Craig Morton's nickname?

Craig Morton's nickname was "The Mad Bomber" because of his strong arm and willingness to take risks.

Question 3: What is Craig Morton's jersey number?

Craig Morton wore the number 15 for the Dallas Cowboys.

Question 4: When did Craig Morton retire from the NFL?

Craig Morton retired from the NFL in 1974.

Question 5: Is Craig Morton in the Hall of Fame?

Yes, Craig Morton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Craig Morton and his time with the Dallas Cowboys. For more information, please visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame website or the Dallas Cowboys official website.

Key Takeaways:

• Craig Morton was a key member of the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1970s.
• He won two Super Bowls with the Cowboys and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
• Morton was known for his strong arm, leadership, and clutch performances.

Next Article Section:

The Legacy of Craig Morton

Conclusion

Craig Morton's legacy with the Dallas Cowboys is one of success and leadership. He was a key member of the Cowboys dynasty of the 1970s, helping the team win two Super Bowls and five NFC Championships. Morton was known for his strong arm, leadership, and clutch performances.

Morton's success with the Cowboys is a testament to his talent and dedication. He was a key member of one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, and his contributions helped the Cowboys achieve lasting success. Morton's legacy as a Cowboy will continue to inspire future generations of players and fans.