Mercury Morris, Dolphins’ 2-time Super Bowl champion, passes away at 77

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Eugene “Mercury” Morris, a key member of the legendary 1972 Miami Dolphins, has passed away at the age of 77, as announced by the team on Sunday.

Morris, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was a standout halfback who played an integral role in leading the Dolphins to two Super Bowl victories. His family released a heartfelt statement, celebrating his remarkable talent and the impact he had on the sport.

“Beyond the field, Mercury was a devoted father, a loving brother, a loyal friend, and a pillar in the community,” they noted. “His presence extended far beyond football, as he touched the lives of many throughout his time in Miami.”

As the starting halfback during the Dolphins’ back-to-back championship seasons in 1972 and 1973, Morris was part of a star-studded roster that included Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. He led the Dolphins in rushing touchdowns during both seasons, finishing with an impressive 12 touchdowns in 1972, followed by 10 in 1973.

“It’s a very sad day for me and our Dolphin family,” Csonka expressed in a post on social media.

Morris experienced a peak in his career during the early years of the Dolphins’ remarkable history. In 1972, he rushed for a prolific 1,000 yards and followed it up with 954 yards and a remarkable average of 6.4 yards per carry in 1973.

A defining moment for the rookie Morris came during his first game in 1969, where he returned a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati. This remarkable play remains the longest kickoff return in Dolphins history, with Morris also holding the franchise records for three career kickoff return touchdowns and an average of 26.5 yards per return.

Morris often spoke about the influence of head coach Don Shula, noting how Shula instilled a strong work ethic and purpose in the team. “We were middle-class people and middle-class fans, and Shula was a blue-collar worker,” he recalled in 2008.

His pride for being part of the only undefeated and untied team in NFL history was evident. Morris made it clear that while many speculate, the Dolphins were not waiting in anticipation for other teams to fall. “For the record, we DO NOT TOAST every time an unbeaten team loses,” he stated on social media in 2015 during the Carolina Panthers’ undefeated stretch, humorously adding, “There’s no champagne in my glass, only Canada Dry Ginger Ale! Ha!”

Morris’s humor occasionally lightened the mood, especially when the Dolphins faced tough seasons. In 2007, while the team struggled with a winless streak, he said, “The Dolphins are not embarrassing me, because our record’s at the top of the heap.”

Despite his successful football career, Morris also encountered personal challenges after leaving the sport. He faced significant legal issues, including a 20-year prison sentence for cocaine trafficking in 1982. While he admitted to using the drug to manage the effects of lingering injuries, he maintained his innocence in selling it. His conviction was eventually overturned by the Florida Supreme Court in 1986, leading him to become a motivational speaker focused on drug prevention.

Reflecting on his experiences, Morris wrote in his 1998 book, “Against The Grain,” that he didn’t hold bitterness towards his past. “I would not recommend three days in jail to anyone, much less three years. But I must be honest: I needed to go through what I did to develop the character I had when I became a free man.”

In 2013, Morris was honored by the Dolphins with a spot in the Walk of Fame. He ranks fourth on the team’s all-time rushing list, amassing 3,877 yards, trailing behind Csonka, Ricky Williams, and Ronnie Brown.

The Dolphins organization expressed their sorrow at his passing, stating, “Morris left a lasting impact through his dynamic play, personality, and record-breaking performances. He loved the Dolphins, the fans, and the community of South Florida and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest players to don the aqua and orange.”

Source: Associated Press