Eugene ‘Mercury’ Morris, Former Miami Dolphins Star, Dies at 77

Eugene “Mercury” Morris, celebrated for his role in the unbeaten 1972 Miami Dolphins team, has passed away at the age of 77. The Miami Dolphins confirmed his death on Sunday. Morris’s family issued a statement describing him as a “devoted father, a loving brother, a loyal friend, and a pillar in the community,” highlighting his impact beyond the football field.

Morris was a key figure in the Dolphins’ backfield, contributing to the team’s Super Bowl triumphs in 1972 and 1973. Alongside teammates Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick, Morris led the Dolphins in rushing touchdowns during their historic seasons. Notably, he registered an NFL-best 12 touchdowns in 1972 and added 10 more in 1973.

The 1972 season holds a special place in Dolphins’ history, as it remains the only season in NFL history where a team achieved a perfect, undefeated record. Morris contributed significantly to this achievement, rushing for a career-high of 1,000 yards in that season. In 1973, he recorded 954 rushing yards with an impressive league-best 6.4 yards per carry.

Morris credited Dolphins coach Don Shula for instilling a strong work ethic in the team. “We were middle-class people and middle-class fans, and Shula was a blue-collar worker,” Morris mentioned in 2008, adding that Shula’s approach taught them the importance of hard work.

Beyond the field, Morris was known for his humor and pride in the Dolphins’ legacy. He famously clarified that the team did not celebrate when other NFL teams came close to matching their perfect season. In 2015, Morris joked on social media about the rumors, stating, “There’s no champagne in my glass, only Canada Dry Ginger ale! Ha!”

After retiring from football, Morris faced personal challenges, including a 20-year prison sentence following a 1982 cocaine trafficking conviction. However, his conviction was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court in 1986. Morris later became a motivational speaker, advocating against drug use. In his book “Against The Grain,” he expressed no bitterness about his time in prison, describing it as a period that helped shape his character.

In 2013, Morris was inducted into the Dolphins’ Walk of Fame. At the time of his death, he remained fourth on the team’s all-time rushing list with 3,877 yards, trailing only behind Larry Csonka, Ricky Williams, and Ronnie Brown.