He proceeded to lead the Baltimore Colts to a 13-1 record, added two playoff wins and won the league MVP award.
He threw for 2,909 yards and 26 touchdowns with 17 interceptions that season; he also had the highest passer rating in the league at 93.2 during the regular season. His performance was so impressive that coach Don Shula decided to keep him in the starting lineup after Unitas was healthy enough to play.
The Colts had won 10 games in a row, including four shutouts. In those 10 games the Colts allowed only seven touchdowns. Then the Colts avenged their sole loss of the season by crushing the Cleveland Browns 34-0 in the NFL championship game.
The Colts offense ranked second in the league in points scored. The Colts defense led the league in fewest points allowed (144, tying the league record at that time) and ranked third in rushing yards allowed 1,339. After winning the NFL championship game the media touted the Colts as “the greatest team in pro football history”.
The Colts were favored by 18 points.
However, in one of sport’s greatest upsets, the Colts lost 16-7 to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III, with a second-quarter interception of a pass by Morrall symbolizing the team’s luck on the day.
Wide receiver Jimmy Orr was wide open near the end zone on a double reverse pass which we now call a flea flicker, but Morrall’s throw went elsewhere and was picked off to stymie the Colts’ momentum.
Two years later, Morrall again replaced an injured Unitas in Super Bowl V, but the occasion proved to be much happier, as the Colts won 16-13 over the Dallas Cowboys on a 32-yard Jim O’Brien field goal as time expired.
Earl Morrall was claimed off waivers for $100 by the Miami Dolphins on April 25, 1972, reuniting him with his former Colt head coach, Don Shula, who said, "I happen to have a good memory. I remember what Earl did for me in 1968."
Don Shula’s words proved prophetic when history repeated itself: Morrall replaced the injured Bob Griese for the Dolphins during the team’s October 15 win over the San Diego Chargers.
The win gave Miami a 5-0 record; Morrall, building on that win, led the Dolphins to the first undefeated season ever. He started 12 of the team's 17 games.
He led the team to a win in the team’s first playoff game against the Cleveland Browns, and then struggled mightily against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game that led to the return of Bob Griese.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named American Football Conference Player of the Year, as well as winning the inaugural NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. He played with the Dolphins for four more seasons before retiring in 1977.
Career Highlights and Awards
- Pro Bowl Selection (1957 & 1968)
- Super Bowl Champion (V,VII,VIII)
- 1972 NFL Comeback Player of the Year
- 1968 AP NFL MVP
- 1968 UPI MVP
Career Stats
- 161 touchdowns, 148 interceptions
- 20,809 yards
- 74.1 career QB rating
In a career that lasted for 21 seasons he played for:
- San Francisco 49ers (1956)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1957-1958)
- Detroit Lions (1958-1964)
- New York Giants (1965-1967)
- Baltimore Colts (1968-1971)
- Miami Dolphins (1972-1976)
Here is a guy known as the greatest back-up quarterback in league history. It would be nice to see him come off the bench and be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
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