Remembering Earl Morrall

The Dolphins' Perfect Season in 1972 was saved by an unsung quarterback with a flat-top crew cut who stepped in for Bob Griese when he was injured:

Earl Edwin Morrall

                                                                  (Miami Herald)

Morrall, who started seven games in the perfect season, passed away on Friday at 79.

Morrall, a sensation with Michigan State from 1954-56, played for more than 20 years on the professional grid-iron throwing  for 21,000 yards and 161 touchdowns. First drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1956, Morrall played for five teams before being picked up by the Dolphins. Morrall had played for Don Shula with the Baltmore Colts. Later eclipsed by Johnny Unitas, Morrall remained a journeyman quarterback, deeply talented if beyond his physical peak.

On April 25, 1972, Morrall was claimed on waivers for $100 by the Dolphins reuniting him Shula who had been the Baltimore coach. His teammates were at first puzzled by the choice. Morrall was 38 at the time and several called him "the old man." Never one for flowery speech, Don Shula simply described Morrall as "an intelligent quarterback who's won a lot of ball games for me."  That choice turned out to be pivotal to the perfect season when Bob Griese was injured in battle with the San Diego Chargers on October 15th. Morrall started-- and won the next 11 of the 17 victories in the perfect season.

Morrall remain with the Dolphins for another four years until his retirement in 1977. In 1979 Morrall became the quarterback coach at the University of Miami where he mentored the likes of Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar and Vinnie Testeverde.

Who was the most valuable player on the Dolphin's roster in 1972? Morrall had a ready answer. "Bob Griese," he wryly recalled, "for breaking his ankle so I could play."

Not unnoticed, Morrall's passing came on the 42nd anniversary of the day the Dolphins signed him.