Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Mercury Morris, Dolphins’ Super Bowl champion and perfect season star, dies at 77
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Eugene “Mercury” Morris, a standout player from the legendary unbeaten 1972 Miami Dolphins team, has passed away at the age of 77, as confirmed by the team on Sunday.
Morris was a key part of the Dolphins’ triumphant backfield and earned three Pro Bowl selections during his notable career. His family remarked that Morris’s “talent and passion left an indelible mark on the sport,” highlighting his influence both on and off the field.
In their tribute, the family shared, “Beyond the field, Mercury was a devoted father, a loving brother, a loyal friend, and a pillar in the community. His presence extended far beyond football, as he touched the lives of many throughout his time in Miami.”
As the starting halfback for the Dolphins, Morris was a vital contributor to Miami’s back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1972 and 1973. He teamed up with Hall of Famer Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick to form a powerful running attack, leading the team in rushing touchdowns in both championship seasons. Morris recorded an impressive 12 rushing touchdowns in 1972 and added 10 more the following year.
The Dolphins remarked on Morris’s impact, 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.”
The years 1972 and 1973 were remarkable not only for the Dolphins but also for Morris, as he achieved career highs during this period. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in 1972, a milestone he matched the following season with 954 yards, while averaging a stunning 6.4 yards per carry.
Morris quickly made a significant impact upon joining the Dolphins. In his very first game as a rookie in 1969, he made headlines by returning a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, a record that still stands as the longest in team history. He also holds records for career kickoff return touchdowns and average yards per return.
Reflecting on his coach, Don Shula, in 2008, Morris expressed how Shula instilled a sense of purpose and direction in the team. Morris noted how Shula, a representation of a working-class ethos, motivated players with the understanding that hard work and commitment would lead to success.
Morris took immense pride in being part of the first and only undefeated team in NFL history. He emphasized that the Dolphins never celebrated against teams that approached the perfection they achieved. “For the record, we DO NOT TOAST every time an unbeaten team loses,” he stated in a social media post during the Carolina Panthers’ 14-0 run in 2015, adding humor to the discourse with a playful remark about ginger ale instead of champagne.
Morris’s journey began in Pittsburgh, where he played college football at West Texas A&M. His career was remarkable, finishing second in rushing yards nationally to O.J. Simpson in 1967. He set records for a single season and a game, with 340 rushing yards in a game against Montana State.
Following his football career, Morris faced significant personal struggles, highlighted by a cocaine trafficking conviction in 1982 that resulted in a 20-year prison sentence. He fought his conviction and stated he only used drugs to cope with injuries. Ultimately, the Florida Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1986. Subsequently, he became a motivational speaker, advocating against drugs.
In his 1998 memoir, “Against The Grain,” he reflected on his experiences and said, “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.”
Morris’s legacy is further solidified as he was inducted into the Dolphins’ Walk of Fame in 2013 and currently ranks fourth on the franchise’s all-time rushing list with 3,877 yards, behind only Csonka, Ricky Williams, and Ronnie Brown.
In response to Morris’s passing, Csonka expressed his sorrow, stating, “It’s a very sad day for me and our Dolphin family.”
Source: AP News
