Ken Stabler (1945-2015)
Ken Stabler, the anchor of the Oakland Raiders during their 70s heyday, passed away Wednesday from complications resulting from colon cancer. He was 69.
As the NFL grew into the new national pastime, no team captured the game’s essence better than the Oakland Raiders. They were tough, they were mean, and partied just as hard as they played. Fans adored Joe Namath, but were really wanted to be Ken Stabler. The ladies loved the Southern drawl and the cool disposition he showed on and off the field. The guys wanted to be his wing man as he put away beers while using the light of the bar’s jukebox to study the playbook yet still charming the ladies.
It took a special kind of player to lead those Raider teams and Stabler more than fit the role. Then again, if you could lead the Alabama Crimson Tide to a 28-3-2 record as a starter (including a perfect 11-0), you can run a team filled with rouges, free spirits and outcasts. When the game was on the line and Stabler was under center, as Hall Of Fame teammate Gene Upshaw famously said, ‘you knew, you knew, he was going to win it’.
Memorable Stabler games were given names: Sea Of Hands (the 1974 playoff win over Miami). Ghost To The Post (1977 playoff win over the Colts). The Holy Roller (regular season win over San Diego 1978). Stabler’s legend would’ve been launched during the 1972 playoff game against Pittsburgh when he came off the bench to lead the Raiders to a go ahead touchdown (capped by a 30 yard rumble by Stabler) with just off a minute left. Unfortunately for Stabler and Raider Nation, the ‘Immaculate Reception’ by Franco Harris overshadowed the incredible remarkable drive.
Stat boys and armchair GMs argue that the Stabler-led Raiders ‘only’ won one Super Bowl. But it must almost be noted that the Raiders won more games than any team during Stabler’s 9 year run with the team. They also ran into some of the NFL’s greatest teams during that stretch: The Kansas City Chiefs, who had won Super Bowl IV; The Miami Dolphins who won back to back championships – including a perfect season from 1972 and 1973; and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won four Super Bowls to round out the decade.
The most dominating Super Bowl performance of the decade? The Raiders 32-14 demolition of the Minnesota Vikings capped by a 12 for 19, 180 yard passing performance by the Snake.
When Stabler retired in 1984, he was the fastest QB to win 100 games as a starter. Only three have eclipsed that mark: Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Tom Brady. Bradshaw and Montana are in Pro Football’s Hall Of Fame and Brady’s place in Canton is all but assured.
Incredibly, in one of the sport’s biggest oversights, Ken Stabler is STILL not in the Hall. This needs to be corrected. Now.
A four time Pro Bowler, a league MVP and a Super Bowl champion, Ken Stabler played a key role in making the NFL a national power, always was cool in the pocket and under pressure and was the quintessential Oakland Raider.
Rest in peace Snake….
Read More Stories From the IB Wire
.
.
Latest posts by Earl Douglas (see all)
- Earl’s World: The Filtered Excellence: September 7, 2021 - September 7, 2021
- Remembering Fez Whatley - August 15, 2021
- Earl’s World: The Filtered Excellence: July 23, 2021 - July 25, 2021
