Roman Gabriel, an NFL quarterback for 16 seasons and multiple award winner (he was named league MVP in 1969), passed away at the age of 83, according to social media posts from his son and the Los Angeles Rams organization. Playing for his first team, the Los Angeles Rams, from 1962 to 1972 was where Gabriel had the most success. Several MVP and player of the year accolades were given to him by the Associated Press, UPI, NEA, and Sporting News after his 1969 season, in which he led the league with 24 touchdown passes. The Rams declared, “We mourn the loss of Rams legend and football pioneer, Roman Gabriel.” “We extend condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
In 1973, he made his fourth and only trip to the Pro Bowl while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. With 23 touchdown passes, it was his second consecutive season leading the league in that category. He played in Philadelphia for four more seasons after that. Following an outstanding time as a college player at North Carolina State, Gabriel was selected first overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 1962 AFL Draft. However, he chose to play for the Rams, who selected him second overall in the NFL Draft. With 154 touchdown passes, he eventually became the Rams’ all-time touchdown throw leader thanks to that decision, a record he remarkably still maintains today.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989, but despite having superior career stats to numerous other inductees—including Bart Starr, who in 1967 kept Gabriel’s Rams from winning a Super Bowl—he has not been honored with the same title in the professional ranks. After 183 games (157 starts), Gabriel finished with 29,444 yards, 201 touchdowns, and 149 interceptions.
