Former NFL MVP and four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Roman Gabriel died on Saturday. He was 83 years old.
Gabriel played 11 seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and five for the Philadelphia Eagles during his 16-year NFL career. After playing college football at North Carolina State, he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1962 AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders and the second overall selection in the NFL Draft that same year. Gabriel chose to sign with the Rams.
He earned MVP honors in 1969, throwing for 2,549 yards and 24 touchdowns for an 11–3 Rams team. His 154 career touchdown passes are the most in franchise history.
We mourn the loss of Rams legend and football pioneer Roman Gabriel. We extend our condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/NY6y6ddm1x
– Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 20, 2024
Gabriel’s best season, statistically speaking, was 1973, when he threw for 3,219 yards and 23 touchdowns for an Eagles team that finished with a 5–8–1 record. His performance earned him Pro Bowl honors for the fourth time in his career.
Unfortunately, Gabriel hasn’t had much postseason success during his career. His teams lost in the divisional round twice in the playoffs. In 1967, the Rams had an 11–1–2 record, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round. And during his MVP season with an 11-3 club, Los Angeles was defeated by the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round.
That may be why Gabriel isn’t in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite throwing for more career yards and touchdowns than Bob Griese, Bart Starr and Roger Staubach, who all won Super Bowl championships and are enshrined in Canton.
Rest in peace Romano Gabriel #Carneiros #Eagles
A tribute to the colossus of a quarterback
The 1969 NFL MVP, 1973 PFWA Comeback Player of the Year and the Rams’ all-time career leader in touchdown passes pic.twitter.com/rFUOABC2P3
-Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) April 20, 2024
During his 16 seasons in the NFL, Gabriel passed for 29,444 yards and 201 touchdowns with his teams compiling an 86-64-7 record.
After his playing days, Gabriel broadcast briefly, calling NFL games for CBS. He then went into coaching, leading the program at Cal Poly Pomona. This was followed by stints as offensive coordinator for the USFL’s Boston Breakers and head coach for the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks of the World Football League.
