Despite a premature report earlier in the day that led to confusion surrounding the status of former NFL quarterback Ken Stabler, his family has confirmed that the all-time great passed away on Thursday at the age of 69.
Here’s part of the statement confirming Stabler’s death:
“He was a kind, generous and unselfish man, never turning down an autograph request or an opportunity to help someone in need. A great quarterback, he was an even greater father to his three girls and grandfather to his three grand snakes.”
Stabler first made his name known as the starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide under legendary head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant who recruited the quarterback himself in 1964. Stabler sat as a freshman, watching Joe Namath lead the program to the National Title before taking over the reigns the following season. Together with fellow quarterback Steve Sloan, Stabler became encased in Crimson Tide football history by leading the team to the second of back-to-back titles.
He was then drafted in the second round of the 1968 draft by then Oakland Raiders co-owner and general manager Al Davis. From 1973-1979, mainly under the leadership of head coach John Madden, Stabler led the Raiders to a 68-25-1 record and one Super Bowl title. He was named the AFC Player of the Year in 1974 and 1976 and earned NFL MVP honors in 1974.
While Stabler did finish his NFL career with more interceptions than touchdowns, which was common for that era, he was among the most-successful on-field quarterbacks of his time. Despite this, Stabler was never inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — a fact that remains a travesty to most football historians.
