Craig Morton, a 1992 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee and a star quarterback at California from 1962-64, passed away May 9. He was 83.
 
"Craig Morton embodied excellence on the field, leadership under pressure, and a lifelong commitment to the game," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Despite playing on teams that struggled in the win-loss column, Craig's remarkable talent, toughness and competitive spirit made him one of the most respected quarterbacks of his era. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Craig's family, friends, teammates and the entire Cal community during this difficult time."

Craig Morton played on three losing teams at Cal, but in 1964, when the team had only a 3-7 record, he was named All-America by the Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association, Sporting News, and Time Magazine. They chose him over two other NFF Hall of Fame quarterbacks who were on winning teams - Jerry Rhome of Tulsa and John Huarte of Notre Dame, and he finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting. That year Morton also received the Voit Award, given to the best player on the Pacific Coast, and the Pop Warner Award, given to the best senior player. During the 1964 season, he completed 185 of 308 passes for 2,121 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 2,121 passing yards led the nation while also setting a then-Pac-8 record.
 
Morton played 25 games at Cal, winning only seven. He finished his collegiate career with then-Pac-8 and Cal records of 4,501 yards passing and 36 touchdown tosses. Morton was also a member of the Cal baseball team.
 
Selected by Dallas with the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of the 1965 NFL Draft, Morton went on to play 18 seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys (1965-73), the New York Giants (1974-76) and the Denver Broncos (1977-82). After his playing days, he spent one year (1988) as quarterback coach of the Denver Broncos and two years as head coach of the Denver Gold of the U.S. Football League.
 
Morton remained heavily committed to Cal, working in the athletics development office until his retirement in 2017. In 2019, he received Cal's Glenn Seaborg Award, presented annually to a former football player whose career accomplishments embody the university's principles and traditions of excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and attitude.
 
In addition to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, Morton is a member of the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame and the Denver Broncos' Ring of Fame.
 
Born Feb. 5, 1943, in Flint, Michigan, Morton moved to California and became a three-sport standout in baseball, basketball and football at Campbell High School in the South Bay.