Eugene “Mercury” Morris, an iconic running back for the Miami Dolphins, died Saturday night. He was 77.
Morris, a three-time Pro Bowler, was a key part of Miami’s unbeaten 1972 season, which remains the only undefeated campaign in the Super Bowl era. Morris also won a second straight Super Bowl with the Dolphins in 1973.
Troy-Jeffrey Morris, his son, released a statement on behalf of Morris’ family on social media Sunday morning, indicating Morris had died the night before.
“His talent and passion left an indelible mark on the sport, and his three Pro Bowl selections only solidified his place among football’s greats,” the statement from the Morris family read. “Beyond the field, Mercury was a devoted father, a loving brother, a loyal friend, and a pillar in the community. His presence extended far beyond football, as he touched the lives of many throughout his time in Miami.”
The Dolphins confirmed Morris’ death shortly after, writing in a statement that the team was “deeply saddened” by his passing.
“Morris left a lasting impact through his dynamic play, personality and record-breaking performances. He loved the Dolphins, the fans and the community of South Florida and will forever be remembered as one of the great players to don the aqua and orange,” the team said in the statement.
Morris was drafted in the third round of the 1969 draft out of West Texas State, now West Texas A&M. Morris was named a first-team All-American after his senior season at West Texas State, where he set multiple rushing records.
Once in the NFL, Morris spent seven seasons in Miami and one season with the San Diego Chargers, before retiring in 1976. In his eight-year career, he racked up 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 been vocal about the 1972 Dolphins’ legacy, often shooting down the idea of another team recreating that team’s success. Even as NFL teams have gone far into the schedule without a loss, the Miami record has stood alone for 51 consecutive seasons.
“Let me say, I think that it’s been so long and that it’s happened one time that people still don’t get it,” Morris told ESPN in 2013, shortly before he was added to Miami’s Walk of Fame. “Some things that happen once in life, they won’t happen twice.
“Bill Parcells said it: You are who your record says you are,” Morris added. “What’s hard to take is that fact. So there’s not going to be somebody else that’s going to come along and match it.”
Morris is survived by five children and three siblings, per the family’s statement.