Mercury Morris, who died on Sept. 21, 2024, at the age of 77, is best remembered by football fans as a star running back on the Miami Dolphins teams that won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1972 and ’73.
Before going to the pros Morris played his college ball at West Texas State (now known as West Texas A&M), where LIFE reported on this rising star in an October 1968 issue. The magazine said that the arid West Texas landscape was home to one of the most electric athletes in the game:
He plays of the fringe of big-time college football, where the stadiums are half-deserted, the star’s scrapbook fits in his watch pocket, and cows graze just beyond the practice field…..Now in his senior year, Morris at 21 may be the most exciting running back in college football.
The magazine celebrated Morris with an eye-catching photo shoot by Bob Gomel. The costars of the shoot are Morris and the wide open West Texas skies. Throw in a supporting performance by the university’s buffalo statue and the resulting images are pretty darn cool.
In some of the photos Morris had cardboard wings attached to his helmet, a reference to the Greek god inspired his nickname.
LIFE’s story predicted Morris would be taken in the first round of the NFL draft, but he lasted until the third round, when he was selected by the Miami Dolphins. He would play there for seven years and have three Pro Bowl seasons, including in 1972, when the Dolphins went undefeated and Morris led the NFL in touchdowns with 12.
When Morris died, his old NFL team released a statement saying, “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.”
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
West Texas State star football player Eugene “Mercury” Morris
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
West Texas State star football player Eugene “Mercury” Morris, posing with school mascot.
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
Bob Gomel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
Bob Gomel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
Bob Gomel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
Bob Gomel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
Bob Gomel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
Bob Gomel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
Bob Gomel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
Bob Gomel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Eugene “Mercury” Morris during his college years at West Texas State, 1968.
Bob Gomel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
