Earl Morrall was a professional American football quarterback who played for several teams during his career. He was born on May 17, 1934, in Muskegon, Michigan, and attended Michigan State University, where he played college football.
Morrall was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 1956 NFL Draft. He played for the 49ers for two seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1958. He played for the Steelers for three seasons before being traded to the Detroit Lions in 1962.
Morrall played for the Lions for two seasons before being traded to the New York Giants in 1965. He played for the Giants for three seasons before being traded to the Baltimore Colts in 1968. It was with the Colts that Morrall had his most successful season, filling in for an injured Johnny Unitas and leading the team to a 13-1 record and a Super Bowl III appearance.
Morrall continued to play for the Colts until 1971, when he was traded to the Miami Dolphins. He played for the Dolphins for four seasons, serving as the backup quarterback to Bob Griese. In 1972, Morrall played a key role in the Dolphins' perfect season, starting nine games and leading the team to victory in several close games.
Morrall retired from football after the 1976 season, having played for 21 seasons in the NFL. He finished his career with 161 touchdown passes and 148 interceptions, and a career passer rating of 74.1.
Morrall was known for his durability and his ability to step in and perform well when called upon. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1972. He was also inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
Morrall passed away on April 25, 2014, at the age of 79. He is remembered as a talented and respected quarterback who made significant contributions to several NFL teams during his long and successful career.
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