“Mercury” Morris, legendary running back of the Dolphins, dies at the age of 77
Eugene “Mercury” Morris, a legendary running back for the Miami Dolphins, died on Saturday evening. He was 77 years old.
Morris, a three-time Pro Bowler, was a key part of Miami’s undefeated 1972 season, which remains the only undefeated season in the Super Bowl era. Morris also won a second consecutive Super Bowl with the Dolphins in 1973.
Troy-Jeffrey Morris, his son, released a statement on social media on behalf of Morris’ family Sunday morning, saying Morris died the night before. The Dolphins confirmed Morris’ death to the Miami Herald.
“His talent and passion left an indelible mark on the sport and his three Pro Bowl nominations only solidified his place among football greats,” the Morris family statement said. “Off the field, Mercury was a devoted father, a loving brother, a loyal friend and a pillar of the community. His presence extended far beyond football as he touched the lives of many during his time in Miami.”
Morris was drafted in the third round of the 1969 draft by West Texas State, now West Texas A&M. Morris was named a first-team All-American following his final season at West Texas State, where he set several rushing records.
In the NFL, Morris played seven seasons in Miami and one season with the San Diego Chargers before retiring in 1976. In his eight-year career, he amassed 4,133 rushing yards and 3,118 return yards. Morris was inducted into the Dolphins Walk of Fame in 2013.
Over the years, Morris has spoken a lot about the legacy of the 1972 Dolphins, often dismissing the idea that another team could repeat that team’s success. Although NFL teams have gone long periods of undefeated, Miami’s record stands alone for 51 consecutive seasons.
“I think it’s been so long and it only happened once that people still don’t understand,” Morris told ESPN in 2013, shortly before he was inducted into Miami’s Walk of Fame. “Some things happen once in a lifetime and don’t happen twice.”
“Bill Parcells said it: You are who your record says you are,” Morris added. “That’s a hard fact to accept. So there’s not going to be anyone who’s going to come and do that.”
According to the family statement, Morris leaves behind five children and three siblings.
