Mercury Morris has died: Who was the Dolphins legend & member of the 1972 unbeaten team?
To this day the Dolphins’ achievement remains a marker to NFL fans and teams alike. A key figure of that 1972 team has passed away and so, we reflect.
As a member of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, Mercury Morris’ name is etched in both the history of the franchise and the NFL itself forever. His passing has been met with countless acknowledgements which only serve to paint a picture f a man and player who were exemplary.
Dolphins legend Mercury Morris has passed away
According to a statement from the Miami Dolphins on Sunday morning, the legendary Mercury Morris has died at the age of 77. An absolutely sensational running back during his time in the league as well as a prolific returner, Morris was a key member of the Dolphins team that wrote its name into the league’s history books.
A former third-round pick out of West Texas State, Morris won two Super Bowls with the Dolphins, but will undoubtedly be remembered or being part of the famous undefeated 1972 team, which he led with 12 rushing touchdowns. Incredibly, Morris also achieved another milestone that same season by rushing for 1,000 yards alongside teammate Larry Csonka who did the same, making the pair the first set of teammates in NFL history to do so in the same year. During an eight-year career, Morris made three Pro Bowl appearances before calling time on his career after the 1976 season which he spent with the Chargers. His family released a statement in his honor as well.
Truthfully, Mercury Morris was a star from the beginning of his career to the end. As a rookie he led the league in kick return yards with 1,136 on 43 returns. Unbelievably, that included a 105-yard return touchdown in his very first game in the league. While Morris he would only go on to register 110 rushing yards in his rookie season, it wouldn’t be long before the team granted him more opportunities to carry as talent was plain to see. When the above-mentioned Csonka was added to the mix, the Dolphins became a force of nature.
“I think the strength of our team in the ‘70s,” Csonka said earlier this year, “was the fact that we controlled the game by controlling the clock by getting first downs and making that third and short yardage, which was consistently almost perfect during that perfect season.” With 3,877 total rushing yards, Morris ranks fourth all-time in Dolphins franchise history, while his 29 rushing touchdowns rank fifth and his 2,947 kick return yards, third. He remains to this day, the only Dolphins player to return more than two kicks for scores. He will be remembered always for his explosive playing style and infectious personality.