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Rosa Rodríguez’s Winning Answer: Earl Morrall
On Thursday, Rosa Rodríguez won the grand prize of €2,716,000 on the Spanish game show Pasapalabra, correctly answering all 25 questions in the “El Rosco” round. The winning word began with the letter ‘M’ and the clue was: “Surname of the American football player who, in 1968, was chosen as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player by the Associated Press.” The answer: Earl Morrall.
Who was Earl Morrall?
Earl Gilmore Morrall (May 17, 1934 – April 25, 2014) was a professional American football quarterback who enjoyed a 21-year career in the National Football League (NFL). Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Morrall is remembered as a reliable and resilient player who stepped up when needed, despite often being a backup.
Early Career and Michigan State
Morrall played college football at Michigan State University, where he led the Spartans to a national championship in 1957. Michigan State University Athletics details his accomplishments during his collegiate career.
NFL Career Highlights
Drafted into the NFL in 1956, Morrall played for the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Colts, New York Giants, and Miami Dolphins. He found his greatest success with the Baltimore Colts.
1968: MVP with the Baltimore Colts
In 1968, Morrall unexpectedly became the starting quarterback for the colts after an injury to star quarterback Johnny Unitas. He led the Colts to Super Bowl III, where they faced the New York Jets. Even though the Colts lost a shocking 16-7 game, morrall was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player by the Associated press. Pro-Football-Reference confirms his MVP award.
1972: The Perfect Season with the Miami Dolphins
Morrall’s experience proved invaluable to the Miami Dolphins in 1972. When starting quarterback Bob Griese was injured, Morrall took over and guided the Dolphins through a perfect regular season – the only perfect season in NFL history. He played a crucial role in maintaining the team’s momentum. While Griese returned to start in Super Bowl VII, morrall’s contributions were vital to the Dolphins’ success. NFL.com provides a detailed account of the 1972 Dolphins season.