Remembering Don Morrison: A Legendary UTA Athletics Alum

Don Morrison, a former UTA football and track & field athlete, passed away peacefully on September 1, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and service. Born on December 16, 1949, in Dallas, Texas, Don was a decorated student-athlete who went on to have a distinguished nine-year NFL career. His impact on the UTA community will be deeply missed, and his contributions to his community continue to inspire others.

Key Takeaways:

• Don Morrison was a Hall of Honor inductee at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2018, recognizing his outstanding achievements as a student-athlete.
• Morrison had a decorated NFL career, playing for the New Orleans Saints (1971-77) and later for the Baltimore (1978) and Detroit (1979) teams.
• He was a multi-talented athlete, competing in football, track & field, and earning three track letters while at UTA.
• Morrison's commitment to service continued after his retirement from football, as he worked as a fireman for two decades and served as the Constable of Precinct 3, making a positive impact on his community.
• He is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his children, Chris, Katie, Sean, Amber, Chance, and his 10 grandchildren.
• A memorial service will be held on September 6 at 11 a.m. at R.W. Owens Funeral home in Wolfe City, TX.

Statistics:

• Don Morrison played 94 games in the NFL over seven seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
• He was selected in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.
• Morrison earned 13 letters at Forney High School and was named co-captain of the 1970 UTA football team.
• He won three track letters while competing at UTA and was an honorable mention All-America athlete.

Sources:

• University of Texas at Arlington Athletics news release, [no date mentioned in the original text]
• NCAA requirements for freshmen to sit out their first season on campus
• Forney High School, Texas (his alma mater)