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LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Guy Morris, a 15-year NFL offensive lineman, played in Super Bowls with Philadelphia and New England before coaching at Baylor and Kentucky. He was 71.
Kentucky announced that Morris died Monday in Danville, Kentucky. Athletics spokesman Tony Nye confirmed the school had been notified by the family. Morris was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017, but the cause of death was not disclosed in the release.
After being drafted in the second round, Morris played with the Eagles from 1973-83 and played under center in the 27-10 Super Bowl loss to the Oakland Raiders in 1981. He also spent four seasons with the Patriots and played in 217 NFL contests. Including Super Bowl XX, in 177 starts.
Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski took to social media to mourn his former teammate, saying: “I’m so sad to hear that my great center, Guy Morris, has passed away. Guy was a true leader on our Super Bowl team. Pick it up my friend!”
Morris was 37-85 as a college head coach in a career that included a stint at Texas A&M-Commerce (10-31) from 2009-12. That followed a 2003-07 stint at Baylor, where he went 18-40 overall with the Bears but upset Colorado in his Big 12 Conference debut.
After the 2000 season, Morris began his head coaching career at Kentucky following the resignation of Hal Mumm amid an NCAA investigation into rule violations. The former offensive line and assistant head coach under Mumme went 2-9 in 2001.
Thanks to Morris’ lone win, the Wildcats improved to 7-5 the following year, a turnaround season highlighted by an upset of LSU. Kentucky has been banned from the postseason as part of the NCAA sanction.
Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart expressed his condolences to Morris’ family and friends at the release and said it calms the football program during a time of great uncertainty.
“They were loved and respected by the players, who responded with their best efforts in a genuine, no-nonsense manner. He said.
The Texas native played at TCU and later coached high school football at Kentucky before retiring.
Morris is survived by his wife, Jackie; their daughters Colleen, Kerry, Savannah and Austin; and five grandchildren.
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