Mercury Morris Net Worth 2024: Mercury Morris is a former NFL running back who played for the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers, known for his role in the Dolphins’ perfect 1972 season, with an estimated net worth of $100,000 to $250,000 in 2024.
Mercury Morris: The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of a Dolphins Legend
Key Takeaways
- Mercury Morris was a key player in the Miami Dolphins’ perfect 1972 season.
- His net worth is estimated at $100,000-$250,000.
- Morris served prison time for cocaine trafficking in the 1980s.
- He later became a motivational speaker and anti-drug advocate.
Early Life and Education
Eugene Edward “Mercury” Morris was born on January 5, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Avonworth High School in the northwestern suburbs of Pittsburgh, where he first showcased his athletic prowess. Morris then went on to play college football at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University) from 1965 to 1968.
During his college career, Morris set several rushing records. In 1967, he finished second in the nation in rushing yards with 1,274, behind only O.J. Simpson. The following year, Morris set collegiate records for rushing yards in a single game (340) and a single season (1,571). His three-year career rushing record of 3,388 yards stood until 1970.
Professional Football Career
Miami Dolphins (1969-1975)
Morris was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1969 AFL-NFL Common Draft. He quickly made an impact as both a running back and kick returner. In his rookie season, Morris led the AFL in kickoff returns (43) and kickoff return yardage (1,136).
The pinnacle of Morris’s career came during the Dolphins’ dominant run in the early 1970s. He was a key member of the team that reached three consecutive Super Bowls from 1971 to 1973, winning Super Bowls VII and VIII. Morris’s most notable season was 1972, when he rushed for exactly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, helping the Dolphins achieve the only perfect season in NFL history.
San Diego Chargers (1976)
After seven seasons with the Dolphins, Morris was traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1976. He played one season with the team before retiring due to lingering injuries.
Career Statistics
Over his eight-year NFL career, Morris accumulated impressive stats:
- 4,133 rushing yards
- 31 rushing touchdowns
- 5.1 yards per carry average (third all-time at retirement)
- 3,118 kickoff return yards
- 3 return touchdowns
Personal Life and Family
Morris has been married three times. He wed his current wife, Bobbie, in 1979. The couple has three children together. Details about his previous marriages and other family members are not widely publicized.
Net Worth and Financial Details
Mercury Morris’s net worth is estimated to be between $100,000 and $250,000. This relatively modest figure for a former NFL star can be attributed to several factors, including his legal troubles and the lower salaries of his playing era compared to modern NFL contracts.
During his playing career, Morris likely earned a fraction of what today’s NFL players make. In the 1970s, even star players’ salaries were significantly lower than current standards. His earnings were also impacted by his shortened career due to injuries.
Achievements and Accolades
Morris’s on-field accomplishments include:
- Two-time Super Bowl champion (VII, VIII)
- Three-time Pro Bowl selection (1971-1973)
- NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1972)
- NFL rushing yards per attempt leader (1973)
- NFL kickoff return yards leader (1969)
- Inducted into the Miami Dolphins Walk of Fame (2013)
Controversies and Legal Issues
The most significant controversy in Morris’s life came in 1982 when he was convicted of cocaine trafficking. He received a 20-year prison sentence with a mandatory 15-year term. However, his conviction was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court in 1986 due to the exclusion of evidence that could have supported his entrapment defense.
Morris reached a plea bargain and was released after serving three and a half years. This experience profoundly impacted his life and led to his later work as an anti-drug advocate.
Post-Football Career
After his release from prison, Morris reinvented himself as a motivational speaker. He has spoken openly about his experiences with drug addiction and incarceration, using his story to warn others about the dangers of cocaine use.
Morris has also made occasional media appearances, including a 2006 television commercial for a hair-treatment clinic. He has written books about his life experiences and football career.
Latest News
On September 21, 2024, Mercury Morris passed away at the age of 77. His death was mourned by the football community, with many remembering his contributions to the Dolphins’ perfect season and his efforts to turn his life around after his legal troubles.
Morris’s legacy is complex, encompassing both his on-field excellence and off-field struggles. He remains an important figure in Miami Dolphins history and a cautionary tale about the perils of drug use in professional sports.
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