Former NFL quarterback Craig Morton’s cause of death has been revealed after he died at the age of 83 earlier this month.
Morton died on May 9 from ‘acute respiratory failure due to severe sepsis due to urinary tract infection’ in Greenbrae, California, The California Post reported on Monday.
He enjoyed a Hall of Fame college football career with Cal before spending nearly two decades in the professional ranks.
Morton played for the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants and then ended his career with the Denver Broncos.
Morton, who was part of the Cowboys team that won Super Bowl VI, died while surrounded by loved ones in California, the Broncos announced.
He is survived by his wife Kym, his sister, his children and grandchildren.
Craig Morton died from ‘acute respiratory failure due to severe sepsis due to urinary tract infection’
He played for the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants and then ended his career in Denver
Morton played football and baseball for the California Golden Bears before being selected with the fifth overall pick of the 1965 NFL draft.
He spent nearly a decade with the Cowboys before joining the Giants.
In 1977, the quarterback was traded to the Broncos and over six seasons in Denver, he led the team to a first playoff appearance and a spot in Super Bowl XII.
By the time he left the Broncos in 1982, Morton held numerous franchise records including the most passing yards (11,895) and passing touchdowns (74).
The quarterback was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992, not long after he entered the Broncos Ring of Fame and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
‘We are saddened to hear of Craig’s passing,’ the Giants said in a statement. ‘He was a great leader and teammate. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.’
