Image Gallery of Mercury Morris

Post category:Running Backs
Post author:phil

The Electrifying Career of Mercury Morris

Eugene “Mercury” Morris carved his name into NFL history as a dynamic running back for the Miami Dolphins during their legendary 1970s dynasty. Standing at just 5’10” and weighing 185 pounds, Morris compensated for his smaller stature with exceptional speed and elusiveness.

Drafted in the third round in 1969 out of West Texas State, Morris initially served as a kick returner and backup running back. As rookie he led the AFL in Kick Returns with 1143 return yards including a 105-yard score against the Bengals. He was named to the 1971 NFL Pro Bowl team as a kick returner after averaging over 28 yards a return.

Morris achieved his greatest fame as part of the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ “Perfect Season” backfield alongside Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. This undefeated team (17-0) remains the only perfect season in NFL history. During this campaign, Morris led the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns while rushing for 1,000 yards exactly on 190 carries, averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per attempt.

His success continued in 1973 while helping Miami secure back-to-back Super Bowl championships, he rushed for 954 yards, averaging a league-high 6.3 Yards-per-Carry. Mercury Morris’s signature running style—explosive bursts through the line followed by lightning-quick cutbacks—made him particularly dangerous in Miami’s ball-control offense.

By 1976, injuries had slowed Morris’s career. After a single season with San Diego he retirement before the 1977 season. In his 8-year career, he finished with 4,133 career rushing yards, 31 touchdowns, and a respected 4.8 yards per carry average.

Image Gallery of Mercury Morris, Running Back 1969-1976

Bob Griese Pitches Ball to Mercury Morris in Super Bowl VII

Bob Griese Pitchback to Mercury Morris

The Dolphins Mercury Morris

The Dolphins Jim Kiick, Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris

With Mercury Morris in front, Dolphins fullback Larry Csonka heads into Vikings defense in Super Bowl VIII. Csonka finished with 145 yards a 2 touchdowns as the Dolphins rolled to their second straight NFL Title with a 24-7 win over the Vikings.
Larry Csonka & Mercury Morris vs Alan Page of the Vikings in Super Bowl VIII

Larry Little and Larry Csonka clear out Jet defensive players for Mercury Morris.
Larry Little and Larry Csonka clear the way for Mercury Morris

One of the most productive offensive backfields of the NFL during the 1970s, Jim Kiick, Mercury Morris and Larry Csonka of the Miami Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins Backfield - Jim Kiick, Mercury Morris and Larry Csonka

Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick - The Miami Dolphins Backfield

Super-Backup Earl Morrall gives to Dolphin runner Mercury Morris. It was Morrall that replaced an injured Bob Griese in 1972 and led Miami to 9 straight victories to end the season with a 14-0 record. He also started the 2 post-season wins over the Browns and Steelers but start in the Super Bowl.
Earl Morrall Hands to Mercury Morris - 1972 Miami Dolphins

Mercury Morris Football Cards

Mercury Morris All Time Career Statistics

Regular Season Rushing & Receiving Totals
						Rushing					Receiving					Totals
Season	Age	Team	#	Games	Starts	Carries	Yards	Y/A	Long	TD	Catches	Yards	Y/R	Long	TD	Touches	Y/Tch	YScm	TDs
1969	22	MIA	22	14	0	23	110	4.8	37	1	6	65	10.8	29	0	29	6.0	175	1
1970	23	MIA	22	12	1	60	409	6.8	40	0	12	149	12.4	50	0	72	7.8	558	0
1971	24	MIA	22	14	3	57	315	5.5	51	1	5	16	3.2	11	0	62	5.3	331	1
1972	25	MIA♚	22	14	11	190	1000	5.3	33	12♦	15	168	11.2	34	0	205	5.7	1168	12
1973	26	MIA♚	22	13	10	149	954	6.4♦	70	10	4	51	12.8	36	0	153	6.6♦	1005	10
1974	27	MIA	22	5	3	56	214	3.8	17	1	2	27	13.5	23	1	58	4.2	241	2
1975	28	MIA	22	14	14	219	875	4.0	49	4	2	15	7.5	10	0	221	4.0	890	4
1976	29	SDG	22	13	0	50	256	5.1	30	2	8	52	6.5	20	0	58	5.3	308	2
7 seasons Dolphins				86	42	754	3877	5.1	70	29	46	491	10.7	50	1	800	5.5	4368	30
1 season Chargers				13	0	50	256	5.1	30	2	8	52	6.5	20	0	58	5.3	308	2
8 Year NFL Career				99	42	804	4133	5.1	70	31	54	543	10.1	50	1	858	5.4	4676	32

Post Season Rushing & Receiving Totals
				Rushing					Receiving					Totals
Season	Age	Team	Games	Carries	Yards	Y/A	Long	TD	Catches	Yards	Y/R	Long	TD	Touches	Y/Tch	YScm	TDs
1970	23	MIA	1	8	29	3.6	12	0	2	15	7.5	9	0	10	4.4	44	0
1971	24	MIA	3	1	3	3.0	3	0	0	0			0	1	3.0	3	0
1972	25	MIA♚	3	41	182	4.4	27	0	1	-6	-6.0	-6	0	42	4.2	176	0
1973	26	MIA♚	3	45	226	5.0	18	1	0	0			0	45	5.0	226	1
Post Season Totals			10	95	440	4.6	27	1	3	9	3.0	9	0	98	4.6	449	1

Regular Season Kick & Punt Returns Totals
					Punt Returns					Kick Returns					All-Purpose Yards
Season	Age	Team	#	Games	Returns	Yards	Y/Ret	Long	TDs	Returns	Yards	Y/Ret	Long	TDs	All-Purpose Yards
1969	22	MIA	22	14	25	172	6.9	38	0	43♦	1136♦	26.4	105	1	1483
1970	23	MIA	22	12	2	-1	-0.5	0	0	28	812	29.0	96	1	1369
1971	24	MIA	22	14	0	0		0	0	15	423	28.2	94	1	754
1972	25	MIA♚	22	14	0	0		0	0	14	334	23.9	33	0	1502
1973	26	MIA♚	22	13	0	0		0	0	11	242	22.0	29	0	1247
7 seasons Dolphins				86	27	171	6.3	38	0	111	2947	26.5	105	3	7486
1 season Chargers				13	0	0		0	0	0	0		0	0	308
8 Year NFL Career				99	27	171	6.3	38	0	111	2947	26.5	105	3	7794

Post Season Kick & Punt Returns Totals
				Kick Return					All-Purpose Yards
Season	Age	Team	Games	Returns	Yards	Y/Ret	Long	TDs	All-Purpose Yards
1970	23	MIA	1	1	21	21.0	21	0	65
1971	24	MIA	3	7♦	173♦	24.7	37	0	176
1972	25	MIA♚	3	3	56	18.7	23	0	232
1973	26	MIA♚	3	2	19	9.5	19	0	245
Post Season Totals			10	13	269	20.7	37	0	718