RIP Earl Morrall

[Starman]

Pretty unusual career: a journeyman /backup most of his career, bur twice stepped in for injured Pro Bowl QBs and led his teams to the Super Bowl.

MVP in the 1968 season and arguably should have been in 1972 as well.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Plus replaced Unitas for the Colts when he got injured in Super Bowl V, which the Colts did win, not by Morrall's doing, though.

 

[poindexter]

Plus replaced Unitas for the Colts when he got injured in Super Bowl V, which the Colts did win, not by Morrall's doing, though.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Link:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/25/4080238/former-miami-dolphins-qb-earl.html

 

[Songbird]

... knows how Orr feels.

 

[joe king]

I mourn for the patron saint of backup quarterbacks. I've said this before, but if there was a backup QBs Hall of Fame, it would have a statue of Morrall standing at the entrance.

 

[Pancamo]

He always looked much older than his age.

 

[The Big Ragu]

I mourn for the patron saint of backup quarterbacks. I've said this before, but if there was a backup QBs Hall of Fame, it would have a statue of Morrall standing at the entrance.

Also, if there as a flat top / crew cut Hall of Fame, he'd be the star attraction.

 

[Bob Cook]

A major character in "Paper Lion," too -- of course, because he was the backup trying to beat out Milt Plum in 1963. Which, in fact, he did. And then lost it again the next year.

He was a near has-been at that point, around 30. And yet, he kept playing for more than a decade.

 

[joe king]

I mourn for the patron saint of backup quarterbacks. I've said this before, but if there was a backup QBs Hall of Fame, it would have a statue of Morrall standing at the entrance.

Also, if there as a flat top / crew cut Hall of Fame, he'd be the star attraction.

Abso-freakin'-lutely.

 

[BTExpress]

I still say he threw Super Bowl III. The only thing he threw that day that wasn't intercepted.

[/bitter_8-year-old_at_the_time]

 

[Songbird]

I mourn for the patron saint of backup quarterbacks. I've said this before, but if there was a backup QBs Hall of Fame, it would have a statue of Morrall standing at the entrance.

Also, if there as a flat top / crew cut Hall of Fame, he'd be the star attraction.

Abso-freakin'-lutely.

John Michael Higgins plays him in the movie.

 

[LongTimeListener]

A major character in "Paper Lion," too -- of course, because he was the backup trying to beat out Milt Plum in 1963. Which, in fact, he did. And then lost it again the next year.

He was a near has-been at that point, around 30. And yet, he kept playing for more than a decade.

I honestly believe backup quarterbacks enjoy their lives more than the starters do.

 

[heyabbott]

Asked long afterward who he thought was the most valuable player for that Dolphins team, Morrall answered, “Bob Griese for breaking his ankle so I could play.”

RIP to helluva pro

 

[poindexter]

I read his autobiography when i was a kid

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351044144151?lpid=82

 

[ThomsonONE]

Plus replaced Unitas for the Colts when he got injured in Super Bowl V, which the Colts did win, not by Morrall's doing, though.

The Jimmy Orr play was in SB III, not SB V.

 

[Guybehindtheguy]

Guy could pick his spots. He retired with 3 rings and maybe should have had a fourth if the colts don't gag SBIII. If the Colts win that game and finish 16-1 then he's at the helm of two of the greatest teams ever. His numbers weren't great (74 career passer rating) but I talked/interviewed him several times in retirement and he was a joy. And the flattop remained brilliant until the end.

 

[poindexter]

The Jimmy Orr play was in SB III, not SB V.

I misread the post. You are correct.

 

[slappy4428]

My dad's suitemate at West Shaw Hall at MSU.... RIP