He played professionally as a running back and wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants from 1959 to 1972.

It was under Morrison in 1983 that South Carolina began the tradition of Einleitung from Also Sprach Zarathustra (theme from the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey") as its pre-game anthem and entrance song.

The idea had actually originated with former quarterback Tommy Suggs, who suggested it to then-coach and athletic director Jim Carlen in 1981.

When Carlen left after the season, Suggs took the idea to his successor as athletic director, Bob Marcum.

It was affectionately dubbed the "Black Magic" year by South Carolina fans because of the team's success and because of Morrison's famous all-black attire (cap, shirt, pants).

Morrison was named by the Walter Camp Foundation as the 1984 National College Football Coach of the Year.

Other notable players coached by Morrison included Harold Green, who spent several years with the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, current Gamecock football radio broadcaster Todd Ellis, who is the all-time passing leader at South Carolina, and Robert Brooks, who was part of the Green Bay Packers 1997 Super Bowl Championship team.

Also serving as an assistant during Morrison's tenure was Al Groh, who went on to be head coach of the New York Jets and the University of Virginia.

However, it would not come to pass as Morrison collapsed after playing racquetball at a court located inside Williams-Brice Stadium,[1] and died on February 5, 1989, at age 51 from congestive heart failure.