After spending 12 seasons in the NFL between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, 34-year-old Craig Morton landed in Denver in 1977 for what was supposed to be a late-career transition. Instead, the veteran signal-caller produced the most memorable stretch of his pro career, instantly providing the steadying offensive leadership Denver needed to match its powerhouse defense.

Morton's first campaign in Mile High was extraordinary. Coordinating Red Miller’s offense with his main target, Haven Moses—the famous "M&M Connection"—Morton threw 14 touchdown passes and led Denver to a 12-2 regular-season record. He dominated the awards circuit, earning PFWA Comeback Player of the Year, UPI AFC Offensive and Defensive honors, and was the NFL MVP runner-up. Despite a severe hip injury that hospitalized him before the playoffs, he energized Denver's home victories over Pittsburgh and Oakland, guiding the franchise to its first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XII.

That historic run made Morton the first quarterback in NFL history to start a Super Bowl for two different franchises. Over the next five seasons, he remained a steady hand under center, leading Denver to two AFC West division titles and three playoff appearances.

Even as he approached 40, his accuracy remained sharp. Morton finished in the top three league-wide in completion percentage in both 1980 and 1981, and in 1981 he recorded his first career 3,000-yard passing season, with a career-high 3,195 yards and an NFL-leading 8.5 yards per pass attempt. When he hung up his cleats after the 1982 season, he retired as the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.

He had 11,895 passing yards, 74 passing touchdowns, and a 41-23 regular-season starting record with Denver.