Earl E. Morrall

The Morrall Family lost their Husband, Father and Grandfather, Earl Morrall, on Friday, April 25th, 2014 at the young age of 79 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  He was born on May 17, 1934, raised in Muskegon Michigan where he attended Muskegon High School, home of the “Big Reds”. Earl graduated Michigan State University with a degree in engineering. As an engineer, he worked with Blaknox Industries and Garwood Industries.  He was an All American football and baseball player at MSU and led the Spartans to a Rose Bowl victory and the finals of the college baseball World Series. Earl was a first round draft pick of the San Francisco 49’ers and went on to play 21 years in the NFL with the 49’ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, NY Giants, Baltimore Colts and the Miami Dolphins.  His career is most remembered for his role in the only Perfect Season in NFL history when he played 12 games.  During his career, he won passing titles and the MVP in the NFL and AFC.  He also was named MVP of 5 different teams and was the winner of the first Comeback Player of the Year in NFL history. After retiring from playing football he continued to share his love of the game by coaching with the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes.  After football he became the owner of Arrowhead Country Club in Davie, Florida and also served as Mayor in his longtime hometown of Davie.  He later made his home in Naples, Florida.  He worked tirelessly for many charities, including the Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics, Caring for Kids and The Bouniconti Miami Project.  He was one of the founders of the NFL Alumni organization and the first President in Florida.  He played charity golf events throughout the country and enjoyed helping others and seeing former teammates. A loving husband, father, grandfather and the best teammate, he will be sorely missed by his wife of 58 years, Jane, his five children, their spouses and his nine grandchildren who lovingly called him “Pearl”. A Memorial Celebration Mass will be held at 1:15pm on Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 at Saint David’s Catholic Church located at 3900 S University Dr. Davie, FL 33328.  Family and friends are invited to attend the services.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis at https://www.thebuonicontifund.com/bfdonate or YMCA Disaster Relief Fund of Naples at www.greaternaplesymca.org.