Super Bowl champion Craig Morton’s cause of death revealed after his passing at 83

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Super Bowl champion quarterback Craig Morton died last week at the age of 83, and on Monday, his cause of death was revealed.

Morton died on May 9 from "acute respiratory failure due to severe sepsis due to urinary tract infection," a Marin County, California, Vital Statistics Office spokesperson told the California Post.

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Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton throws a pass during a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colo., on Aug. 12, 1978. (Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY NETWORK)

Kym Galloway, the wife of the former quarterback, told The Denver Post that Morton was tired of being in pain and dealing with his back.

"And he just said, ‘I give (up). I’m ready to go. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’ve had an amazing life. And I’m just tired,'" Galloway added. "And then … he said, ‘I’ve never said I give (up), in my life.'"

Morton was critical in helping the Broncos reach their first-ever playoff appearance, ultimately getting them to Super Bowl XII during the 1977 campaign.

After going 12-2 during the season and getting wins in the playoffs over the Pittsburgh Steelers and then-Oakland Raiders, Morton was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year. Morton also won Sporting News Player of the Year, the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year and the NFL UPI MVP in 1977.

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of #BroncosROF quarterback Craig Morton, who died on Saturday at the age of 83," the Broncos posted on social media.

Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton throws a pass during Super Bowl XII at the Superdome in New