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Award-Winning NFL Legend Roman Gabriel Passes Away

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7 months ago

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Roman Gabriel, the larger-than-life quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams and 1969 league MVP, passed away at 83, according to a statement by his son.

The New York Post uncovered news of Gabriel’s death via a social media post by Roman Gabriel III who wrote that his father died peacefully of natural causes in his home.

“I am sad to announce my father Roman Gabriel @RGabriel4HOF passed away peacefully this morning of natural causes at his home. The entire family asked for your prayers, and to please respect our privacy. I love you dad,” Gabriel III wrote on X.

Gabriel was the No. 2 draft pick for the Rams in 1962, going on to become the first Filipino-American quarterback in the NFL and finishing his career with 154 touchdown passes, a Rams record still standing today.

In 2021 the Rams legend told the Los Angeles Times, “I am retired with heart problems and arthritis but happy.” He added he split his time between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Little River, South Carolina.

“We mourn the loss of Rams legend and football pioneer, Roman Gabriel,” the Rams said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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At 6’5″ and 235 pounds, Gabriel was larger than most quarterbacks during his era and was famously described by legendary Green Bay coach Vince Lombardi as “a big telephone pole,” according to the L.A. Times.

He played for North Carolina State, winning the Atlantic Coast Conference’s player of the year award twice. In 1989 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

“We mourn the passing of our legendary former quarterback Roman Gabriel and offer our condolences to his family,” the team wrote on X Tuesday.

After being drafted by the Rams, Gabriel completed 11 seasons before seeing through another five with the Philadelphia Eagles, though his final two seasons were in a backup role. His stats speak for themselves: Gabriel finished his career with a 86–64–7 record and passed for 29,444 yards with 201 touchdowns, and he is the only remaining quarterback from his era to achieve the “lowest interception percentage” designation in NFL passing statistics.

“Gabe was an amazing player and an even better mentor. Words can’t explain my thanks for what a great teammate he was,” wrote former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski who was backed up by Gabriel in his final season. “A special player and a better man!”

Highlights from Gabriel’s career rolled in as the internet saluted his greatness.

After retiring in 1977, Gabriel briefly called games for CBS before moving into coaching roles with Cal Poly Pomona, the Boston Breakers of the USFL, and Raleigh-Durham in the World League of American Football. He also dabbled in acting, taking limited roles on television shows including “Gilligan’s Island,” “Perry Mason,” “Ironside” and “Wonder Woman.”

In addition to his son Roman III, Gabriel is survived by Ram Allen, Rory Jay and Brandon, and a daughter, Amber Smigel according to the New York Times.



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