Eugene “Mercury” Morris, a key player in the Miami Dolphins’ perfect 1972 season and a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has died at the age of 77. The Miami Dolphins confirmed his passing on Sunday, marking the end of an era for one of the NFL’s most storied franchises.
Morris, known for his speed and agility, was an integral part of the Dolphins’ backfield during their dominant early 1970s run, which included back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1972 and 1973. His family released a statement highlighting his impact both on and off the field:
“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 Miami Dolphins organization echoed this sentiment, stating, “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 greatest players to don the aqua and orange.”
Morris’s NFL career was marked by impressive achievements. He led the league with 12 rushing touchdowns in 1972 and followed up with 10 more in 1973. In 1974, he averaged an NFL-best 6.4 yards per carry. His impact was immediate, setting a team record with a 105-yard kickoff return touchdown in his rookie season.
Former teammate and Hall of Famer Larry Csonka expressed his sorrow, saying simply, “It’s a very sad day for me and our Dolphin family.”
Morris often reflected on the impact of legendary coach Don Shula on the team’s success. ”
I think Shula gave everybody a different kind of direction and purpose being coached by this guy. We were middle-class people and middle-class fans, and Shula was a blue-collar worker. And he had kind of a work ethic that really allowed you to see that if you work hard and you do what you’re supposed to do, then things are going to turn out for you — not all the time but you adjust to that and do what’s necessary to try to do as best you can,” he said in a 2008 interview.
After his NFL career, Morris faced personal challenges, including a prison sentence for cocaine trafficking.
His conviction was later overturned, and he became an advocate against drug use. Reflecting on this period in his 1998 book “Against The Grain,” Morris wrote, “Was I bitter? Not really. I would not recommend three days in jail to anyone, much less three years. But I must be honest: I needed to go through what I did to develop the character I had when I became a free man.”
Morris maintained his connection to football and his sense of humor throughout his life. During the Dolphins’ dismal 2007 season, he quipped, “The Dolphins are not embarrassing me, because our record’s at the top of the heap. That’s not my team. People say, ‘Your team is doing bad.’ I say, ‘My team all has AARP cards.'”