‘Perfect backup’ quarterback Earl Morrall dies at age 79
If there was a Hall of Fame for backup quarterbacks, former Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Colts backup QB Earl Morrall would be the inaugural initiate.
The former NFL star died on Friday in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, via AP reports.
Morrall, who was best known for stepping in for the undefeated Miami Dolphins in 1972, threw 161 touchdown passes in 21 N.F.L. seasons. He died on the 42nd anniversary of the Dolphins signing him to a contract.
The oft-quoted saying “the most popular player in town is the backup quarterback” was never more true than in Morrall’s case, even when he was sitting behind two different Hall of Fame players, the Colts Johnny Unitas and the Dolphins Bob Griese – both times playing under head coach Don Shula.
While with the Colts, Unitas incurred a season-ending elbow injury in the final preseason game of 1968, and Morrall took the reigns. He led the team to a 13-1 regular-season record and two playoff victories (and a league MVP) before finally losing to Joe Namath and the underdog New York Jets in Super Bowl III.
Then in 1972, Griese, the Dolphins’ No. 1 quarterback, was injured in the fifth game of the season, leaving the door open for Morrall once again.
Stepping in at 38 years old, Morrall helped to lead the Dolphins to a 14-0 regular season record, and a playoff victory over the Cleveland Browns. A healthy Griese replaced Morrall during the AFC title game against the Steelers and was the starter in the Super Bowl. But the undefeated season may have never happened without Earl Morrall.
Shula once referred to Morrall as “the perfect backup for the perfect team.”
Years later, when asked who he though the MVP of that record-setting Dolphins team was, Morrall replied, “Bob Griese for breaking his ankle so I could play.”