Former college football coach and NFL player Guy Morriss has died at the age of 71.
Morriss had battled Alzheimer’s in recent years, according to multiple reports.
Appreciate Artose Pinner taking some time to share some Guy Morriss stories with me today.
“It was the first time I understood why teams like Alabama, teams like Georgia, all those great teams in the SEC were so great. Because they had a great staff.” https://t.co/LkZK79ijTn
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_HL) September 6, 2022
His NFL years
“The Eagles made Morriss a second-round draft choice in 1973 out of TCU, and he spent 11 seasons as the team’s center before finishing his NFL career with the Patriots. Morriss played four seasons in New England,” NBC Sports reported.
“He started in the Eagles’ Super Bowl XV loss to the Raiders to end the 1980 season and was with the Patriots during their Super Bowl XX loss to the Bears to end the 1985 season,” it added.
Former NFL offensive lineman Guy Morriss dies at 71. https://t.co/cr88D2wTpg
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 6, 2022
His coaching years
Morriss coached at the University of Kentucky, Baylor and Texas A&M-Commerce, retiring in 2015.
“Guy Morriss never got the credit he deserved for turning around @BUFootball. Remember, the Bears had one conference win in 4 years under @CoachKSteeleUM. BU upset #16 Texas A&M, 35-34, in 2004 and won 6 other Big 12 games under Morriss,” Jerry Hill reported on Twitter.
Guy Morriss never got the credit he deserved for turning around @BUFootball. Remember, the Bears had one conference win in 4 years under @CoachKSteeleUM. BU upset #16 Texas A&M, 35-34, in 2004 and won 6 other Big 12 games under Morriss. RIP, GuyMo. https://t.co/LeyjeC0sh6
— Jerry Hill (@ViewFromHill) September 7, 2022
The lifelong football fan, player and coach clearly impacted the lives of teammates, coaches and those he coached over multiple decades.
Guy Morriss, a longtime NFL offensive lineman who went on to lead the football programs at Kentucky and Baylor, died Monday. He was 71 years old https://t.co/DltQmg6ZjH
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 6, 2022
His impact continues to leave a legacy in the lives of many who played with him on the field or were coached by him during his many years in football.