West Texas State standout, 2x Super Bowl Champ Eugene ‘Mercury’ Morris dies at 77

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — According to a release from the NFL, his former NFL team the Miami Dolphins announced on Sunday that Eugene “Mercury” Morris has died at age 77. Morris was a standout for West Texas State University, and was also apart of the Miami Dolphins’ 1972 Perfect Team.

The Dolphins released the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dolphins great Mercury Morris, two-time Super Bowl champion and beloved member of the 1972 Perfect Team,” the Dolphins said in a statement. “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.”

Morris was an All-American at West Texas A&M University formally known as West Texas State University. In his three years in Canyon he set school and collegiate records including rushing yards in a single game, 340, rushing yards in a single season, 1,571, and rushing yards over a three-year college career, with 3,388.

Eugen was inducted into WTAMU’s Hall of Champions in 1988.

Morris would go on to get drafted in the 1969 AFL-NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins in the third round.

Mercury spent most of his NFL career in Miami capturing two Super Bowls along with three Pro Bowl honors. After seven years in Miami, he would play one more year for the San Diego Chargers in 1976.

Morris career NFL stats over 99 games total 7, 794 yards, including 4,133 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on 804 carries averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He also retuned kicks averaging 26.5 yards per return giving him a total of 2,947 yards and three touchdowns on kick returns.

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