Roman Gabriel had massive measurement and an enormous arm when he was the No. 2 draft choose of the Los Angeles Rams in 1962. Even whereas taking part in in an period of grinding it out on the bottom, he nonetheless holds the Rams’ workforce report with 154 landing passes.
Gabriel, the primary Filipino-American quarterback within the NFL and the league MVP in 1969, died Saturday. He was 83.
His son, Roman Gabriel III, introduced his father’s demise on social media, saying he died peacefully at house of pure causes.
In 2021, the elder Gabriel instructed the Los Angeles Instances, “I’m retired with coronary heart issues and arthritis however comfortable.” He stated he break up time between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Little River, South Carolina.
“We mourn the lack of Rams legend and soccer pioneer, Roman Gabriel,” the Rams stated on X, previously often called Twitter.
Gabriel, who performed at North Carolina State and was a two-time participant of the 12 months within the Atlantic Coast Convention, was inducted into the School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1989.
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He was 6-foot-5 and 235 kilos, massive for a quarterback in that period. Inexperienced Bay coach Vince Lombardi as soon as described him as “an enormous phone pole,” based on the Los Angeles Instances.
Gabriel performed 11 years for the Rams and 5 years with the Philadelphia Eagles, the place he was traded after the Rams acquired John Hadl.
“Gabe was a tremendous participant and an excellent higher mentor. Phrases can’t clarify my thanks for what an important teammate he was,” retired quarterback Ron Jaworski, whom Gabriel backed up on the Eagles in his closing season, posted on X. “A particular participant and a greater man!”
Gabriel was such a sizzling prospect that the Rams made him the No. 2 choose within the NFL draft, and the Oakland Raiders of the rival AFL chosen him No. 1. Gabriel wound up signing with the Rams, although it took till George Allen was employed as coach in 1966 for Gabriel to start out leaving a mark.
From 1967 to 1970, Gabriel led the Rams to a 41-14-4 report and two division titles, although by no means a playoff sport. He was voted MVP in 1969 after throwing for two,549 yards with 24 landing passes and 5 dashing scores.
Allen left for Washington after the 1970, and Gabriel was shipped to the Eagles in 1973. He was the NFL comeback participant of the 12 months, main the league with 23 landing passes and three,219 yards, as he tried to assist revive the Eagles’ offense.
After retiring, Gabriel labored briefly for CBS, calling NFL video games.
He went into teaching, with stints at Cal Poly Pomona, the Boston Breakers of the USFL and Raleigh-Durham within the World League of American Soccer.
Gabriel additionally dabbled in performing. His film credit included “Skidoo” starring Jackie Gleason in 1968, and 1969’s “The Undefeated” starring John Wayne and Rock Hudson. He appeared in such TV exhibits as “Gilligan’s Island,” “Perry Mason,” “Ironside” and “Marvel Girl.” He additionally joined Bob Hope on a USO tour of Vietnam.