Running back Mercury Morris, a member of the Dolphins’ undefeated 1972 team and a staunch defender of the team’s 17-0 record, has died. He was 77 years old.

The team confirmed that Morris died on Saturday.

A Pittsburgh native, Morris was a third-round pick out of West Texas State in 1969. In 1972, he led the league with 12 rushing touchdowns. That very season, he rushed for 1,000 yards, a career high. The next year, Morris led the league with 6.4 yards per attempt.

Morris, a three-time Pro Bowler, played for the Dolphins from 1969 to 1975. He finished his career with the Chargers in 1976.

In 2007, Morris was blunt in his anger at the Patriots when they attempted to top Miami’s performance with a 19-0 victory.

“If 17 trees fell in the forest 35 years ago, was there a sound?” Morris asked at the time. “Yeah, maybe you just weren’t there to hear it.”

He summed up New England’s aspirations as follows: “You can’t have the conversation around 19 wins. You have to build the conversation around the zero at the end. Because if they finish a season undefeated, they’re on par with the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They’re not behind us, they’re not ahead of us. . . . On the other hand, if they lose, they’re like the Bears (in 1985): 18-1.”

We extend our sincere condolences to Morris’ family, friends and teammates.