Snake Dead

Damn was he fun to watch. RIP Ken Stabler

Legendary Alabama and NFL quarterback Ken Stabler has passed away at the age of 69, according to the Tuscaloosa News.

Stabler was born Dec. 25, 1945 in Foley, Ala., giving his parents, Sally and Leroy "Slim" Stabler, a pleasant Christmas Day surprise. He grew up to be a multi-sport athlete at Foley High School, but it was football that Stabler excelled at the most. During his high school playing days, he earned the nickname "The Snake" for his ability to maneuver and weave through opposing defenses.

Stabler was recruited to Alabama by legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and enrolled at the university in 1964. Because of NCAA rules, players were not allowed to see the field as freshmen, so Stabler watched from the sideline as Joe Namath guided the Crimson Tide to a national championship. The following season, he split reps at quarterback with Steve Sloan, and together, they led the team to back-to-back national titles with a 39-28 victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

The following season, his junior year at UA, Stabler helped Alabama to another 11-0 record and another win over Nebraska, this time a 34-7 victory in the Sugar Bowl. But the Crimson Tide finished third in the polls behind Notre Dame and Michigan State.

His senior season ended with an 8-2-1 record, but it also included one of the most iconic plays in Alabama history. During the Iron Bowl, Stabler pulled off a play that would later be called "The Run in the Mud." The Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers played in rainstorm and on a muddy Legion Field in Birmingham, and trailing 3-0, Stabler scampered for a 47-yard to secure a 7-3 victory.

Stabler finished his college career at Alabama with a 28-3-2 record as a starter. He completed 180 of his 303 passes (59.4 percent) for 2,196 yards and 18 touchdowns and also rushed for 838 yards and nine scores on 265 rushing attempts. As a senior in 1967, Stabler was named a permanent team captain, along with Bobby Johns and earned All-SEC and All-America honors.

The Crimson Tide quarterback was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft and was immediately surrounded by a wealth of talent at the wide receiver position. With help from Cliff Branch, Dave Casper, and Fred Biletnikoff, Stabler quarterbacked the Raiders to a 32-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI.

He was named the AFC Player of the Year in 1974 and 1976, and the Associate Press selected him as the NFL MVP in 1974. The Snake also won the Hickok Belt in 1976 as professional athlete of the year and earned three Pro Bowl nods (1974, 1976-77).

Oakland traded Stabler to the Houston Oilers, where he played from 1980-81. He then finished his NFL career after three seasons with the New Orleans Saints. In 184 pro games, Stabler threw for 27,938 yards and 194 touchdowns on 2,270-3,793 passing.

Following his playing career, Stabler color commentator for CBS NFL broadcasts. He then moved to radio, where he worked alongside Eli Gold for 11 years as the color analyst for Alabama football games.

That's a lot of good and interesting info there,I really enjoyed watching him also,sorry for his family's loss.

Cya Tuna Vic

Rest in Peace. Not sure if you and Al are in the same place.
Very much part of the rich Raiders tradition, which is currently lacking.

Lots of great memories. He was/is at the top of my list of ProQB's

Remember the intentional fumble?

Thanks DF for shariung

ya, best lefty there was. back in the day when it meant something to be a raider...