RIP Ken Stabler

Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler died Wednesday from complications resulting from Stage 4 colon cancer, the team confirmed Thursday. He was 69....

The Foley, Alabama, native threw for 27,938 yards during his 15-year career in the NFL, compiling a 96-49-1 record as a starting QB. He played for the Raiders from 1970-79, winning the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 1974 and earning Pro Bowl honors four times. He led Oakland to victory in Super Bowl XL in January 1977.

"I was head coach of the Raiders the entire time Kenny was there and he led us to a whole bunch of victories including one in Super Bowl XI," former Raiders coach John Madden said in the team release. "I've often said, If I had one drive to win a game to this day, and I had a quarterback to pick, I would pick Kenny. Snake was a lot cooler than I was. He was a perfect quarterback and a perfect Raider. When you think about the Raiders you think about Ken Stabler. Kenny loved life. It is a sad day for all Raiders."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13230192/ken-stabler-former-oakland-raiders-quarterback-dies

The Snake fell off rather quickly but in his prime from 1974 -77 he was as good as any QB in the NFL and a worthy adversary during the epic Steelers-Raiders rivalry in the 70s

Kenny was the perfect QB to run those 70's Raiders offenses. I liked Kenny he was one cool QB. r.i.p.

Stabler was a renegade that fit the Raider identity of that time perfectly. Probably in the Bobby Lane category of partying, then playing.

I heard Paul Feinbaum of ESPN SEC tell stories about him last year, as they used to broadcast some games together. Feinbaum said there were times when you didn't know if Stabler was going to show up for the broadcast until minutes before the game. He also mentioned a story of Stabler possibly framing a reporter for cocaine possession and I thought that was the craziest thing I hadn't heard of yet. Here is that reporters account ... http://www.pressdemocrat.com/sports/4189498-181/padecky-ken-stabler-memories-on#.VaKUt6g6x64.twitter?page=1

cool story.

I didn't like the Raiders but respected the tough football they played on the field.

the Raiders and the Steelers were a lot a like in the 70s, running game to move the chains and set up the deep ball and good defense, both teams had the WRs to make the tuff catch over the middle.

Kenny had the it as a QB put this off the field fun shortend  his career imo.

High school career[edit]

Stabler became a highly touted football player at Foley High School in Foley, Alabama. He led Foley to a win-loss record of 29–1 over his high school career—the only loss coming against Vigor High School. He was an all-around athlete in high school, averaging 29 points a game in basketball and excelling enough as a left-handed pitcher in baseball to receive minor-league contract offers from the Houston Astros and New York Yankees. He was an all-american athlete. During his high school career, he earned his nickname "the Snake"[1] from his coach following a long, winding touchdown run.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Stabler

Not to be rude, but just curious:
Ken's family says, "He passed peacefully surrounded by the people he loved the most, including his 3 daughters and longtime partner, as some of his favorite songs played in the background, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama' and Van Morrison's 'Leaves Falling Down.'"

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2015/07/09/ken-stabler-dead-at-69-family-confirms/#ixzz3g40ZyBqa

Other news outlets say "partner not to be named"...who is this mysterious person??