The Life and Legacy of Eugene “Mercury” Morris: A Tribute

Published on September 25, 2024 | Published By: Aayushma | In Career , Death

Source: The Tribune Democrat

Eugene “Mercury” Morris died on September 21, 2024, at the age of 77.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl three times during his career.
The athlete played seven out of his eight seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.

Table of Contents

Eugene “Mercury” Morris sadly passed away

RIP! Eugene “Mercury” Morris took his last breath on Saturday, September 21, 2024. He died at the age of 77. However, his cause of death remains undisclosed at this time.

His son, Troy-Jeffrey Morris, shared a heartfelt statement on social media announcing the death of the three-time Pro Bowl champion on behalf of the family. The statement reads,

“His talent and passion left an indelible mark on the sport, and his three Pro Bowl selections only solidified his place among football’s great, 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.”

Eugene _Mercury_ Morris died at the age of 77 — Mercury Morris died at the age of 77 (Source: Marca.com)

Morris played for the Miami Dolphins from 1969 to 1975 and was selected to the Pro Bowl thrice. The Dolphins also shared a heartfelt tribute acknowledging his contributions to the team and the sport. The team wrote,

“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. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones and teammates as they honor his life and mourn his passing.”

Also read: RIP Matt Ulrich! Retired NFL player dies age 41

How Eugene “Mercury” Morris left his mark on the NFL

In the third round of the NFL draft, the AFL’s Miami Dolphins picked Mercury Morris from West Texas State. He played as a running back known for his speed and dynamic running style. The athlete played seven out of his eight seasons in the NFL with the Dolphins.

In 1972, he reached a significant achievement in his career by rushing for over 1,000 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. His performance contributed to the Miami Dolphins winning their first Super Bowl title by defeating the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.

During the same season, Morris teamed up with Hall of Fame fullback Larry Csonka, who rushed for 1,117 yards. Together, they made NFL history as the first pair of teammates to each rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.

The following season, he rushed for 954 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. His performance helped the Miami Dolphins win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Throughout his career, he accumulated a total of 4,133 rushing yards and scored 31 touchdowns.

The Dolphins’ Walk of Fame recognized the former NFL running back with an honor in 2013.

Mercury Morris popular for his speed and dynamic running style — Mercury Morris is popular for his speed and dynamic running style (Source: The Tribune-Democrat)

A short bio of Eugene “Mercury” Morris

Morris was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 5, 1947. He had a successful career as a professional football player. From 1969 to 1975, he represented the Miami Dolphins in NFL games and was honored with a Pro Bowl thrice. After his time with the Dolphins, he joined the San Diego Chargers for the 1976 season, which turned out to be the final year of his professional football career.

In 1982, his career took a significant downturn when he was convicted of charges related to cocaine trafficking. As a result, he received a 20-year prison sentence. Despite this, Morris maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal. On March 6, 1986, the Florida Supreme Court overturned his conviction.

The court decided that the evidence he submitted to defend against entrapment was inappropriately disregarded as hearsay. Following the ruling, Morris was granted a new trial. Morris then negotiated a plea bargain with the prosecutor. The agreement led to his release from prison on May 23, 1986, after he had served three years.

Following his release, he pursued a career as a motivational speaker, advocating for justice and sharing his story of redemption with others.

Also read: NFL reporter Doug Kyed mourns the death of 2-year-old daughter Hallie

Disclaimer Statement: Married Biography's editors wrote and updated all of this data based on their best knowledge and understanding. If any mistakes are found, please use our email to report this content and images.