How Did Eugene ‘Mercury’ Morris Die? Dolphins Legend’s Tragic Injury History Revealed

Eugene 'Mercury' Morris—the kind of player who didn't just run defenders on-field, but left them in the dust. Today, we say goodbye to the Dolphins legend. Eugene Morris passed away at the age of 77.

Music artist Ghost Wridah and Morris' son broke the news on X. "Last night, my father passed away. " The family's statement doesn't just touch on his football greatness; it shows his love for the community, calling him "a devoted father, loving brother, and loyal friend." The three-time Pro Bowl champ leaves behind his kids—Cero, Macro, Tiffany Troy, and Fliott—and siblings Cyrilok, Valerie, and Janice. His legacy? It's all about inspiring people all over Miami and in the NFL.

Morris was a cornerstone of the Phins' iconic 1972 undefeated season. The two-time Super Bowl RB's quick cuts and 5.14 yards-per-carry average made him one of the most feared runners in the game. He set collegiate records—racking up 340 rushing yards in a single game, 1,571 in a season, and 3,388 yards over three years. This was later broken by Don McCauley. But beyond the accolades, the Phins legend was a family man.

The exact cause of death hasn't been disclosed yet, sparking speculation about health issues possibly linked to his career. Morris did undergo a lot of injuries when he was actively playing.

Eugene Morris' neck injury after a brutal hit "I know the moment I broke my neck," Morris said.

It was 1973—a massive showdown between Pittsburgh and . The star RB took a hard hit from the Steelers' Mel Blount, landing awkwardly on Miami's unforgiving artificial turf. His body twisted back and Blount landed right on top of him. It was bad. But in typical NFL fashion, the Dolphins' team doctor told him it was just a sprained neck. Morris didn't miss a beat and finished the season, fighting through the pain.

Years later, during an interview at NFL Films, a producer dug up the game tape. The Super Bowl champ saw it for the first time—the awkward collapse, the way his body hit the turf. They even handed him a DVD of the moment his neck broke (for posterity, of course).

The real bombshell didn't come until Morris headed to the Pro Bowl that season. While getting a thorough physical in San Diego, the AFC's head coach, John Madden, dropped the news: "You've got two cracked vertebrae in your neck." The California doctors were shocked. They told Morris he should've been in a halo brace from day one and needed six weeks of recovery. But when he returned to Miami, his team doctor downplayed the injury, saying the Pro Bowl physicians had overreacted. Morris, trusting the team doctor's word as gospel (as players often do), left his brace behind.

Fast forward six years. The Phins legend finally had surgery on that broken neck, but the nightmare didn't end there. In 1986, Morris applied for line-of-duty disability benefits from the NFL's retirement plan, which would give him up to $19,000 a month. But the plan's doctor turned him down, claiming Morris didn't meet the "major functional impairment" standard. The injury didn't involve a vital bodily organ, apparently.

Eugene Morris, however, did his homework. He read the fine print and discovered a critical piece of language—"or part of the central nervous system." That's where his neck injury fit. After seeing over half a dozen doctors, Morris was finally granted partial-permanent disability benefits, though his nerve issues were ignored.

After years of haggling and arbitration, Morris settled for $295,000—far below what he deserved. While he won some battles, the fight over his full retirement benefits continues. "It's the principle," Morris said. "I would've dropped out a long time ago if it was about the money."

Eugene Mercury Morris left behind a great legacy. He will be missed.