Oakland Raiders: Ken Stabler’s Death A Strong Motivator For 2015

By Jonathan George | Jul 10, 2015

On Thursday it was announced by multiple sources, including ESPN’s news services, that Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler had passed away from the effects of colon cancer. “The Snake”, as he was affectionately known, was 69 years old. Stabler is still the all-time leader in Raiders history when it comes to most significant passing stats, and is the winningest quarterback in Oakland’s history.

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While the team and fans will mourn the loss of the Raider great, there could be a few positives that could come out of the sad loss of Stabler.

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First of all, there is no doubt the NFL and the Raiders will find ways to honor Stabler’s career and life. The fact is that he was involved in some of the most memorable football games in NFL history, let alone Raider history. There was the famous “Ghost to the Post” play in a Raider playoff victory over the then Baltimore Colts, a play that helped propel the Raiders into the AFC Championship game in 1977.

The “Holy Roller” game helped change the rules in the NFL related to fumbling, and is a game that is burned into the memories of any rival Charger fan.

The Motivation that can be gained from the desire to honor an all-time great of a franchise cannot be understated.

But of all the NFL history Stabler was a part of, perhaps no game is as historic as the 1972 AFC divisional playoff game between the Raiders and Steelers. Famously dubbed the “Immaculate Reception” game, Raider fans and players from the game still refuse to believe Pittsburgh running back Franco Harris caught a deflected ball for an eventual touchdown. Yes, the history Stabler and the Raiders made in the 70’s, including a Super Bowl XI win, will be remembered.

In honoring Stabler, the Raiders can look back to the decade of the 1970’s as one of Raider dominance and toughness. Stabler was part of a Raider group that was routinely battling for playoff positioning; a trait the Raiders have been obviously lacking. Stabler’s number 12 will most likely be added to every Raider player’s helmet or Jersey in 2015, and it can be a symbol of the tenacity and never quit attitude each Oakland Raider should strive for.

The death of former Raider greats being used as motivation to play well is not a foreign concept in Oakland. In October of 2011, the Raiders went into Houston after not only losing the previous week, but finding out the face of the Raiders, Al Davis, had passed away the night before. Davis’ death arguably helped motivate Oakland to win not only in Houston, but 5 out of the next 7 games as well. At one point, the 2011 Raiders looked to be challenging for a playoff spot at 7-4.

The Motivation that can be gained from the desire to honor an all-time great of a franchise cannot be understated.

Whether it’s doing the small things to better yourself in an attempt to make the team better, or playing with injuries when the team needs you, Oakland needs to take a long look at Stabler’s Raider history as a guide for success.

Stabler was a guy who put winning before personal success, and in turn was able to reach some impressive milestones over his career; The 1974 NFL MVP and 4 time Pro Bowler would have traded in all of these personal accolades for a few more championships. That type of sacrifice is not as common in today’s pro sports, and Oakland could use that type of “team first” mentality if they want to see the franchise return to greatness again.

It might scream of rhetoric and white noise at this point, but if the Raiders want to honor Stabler’s passing in the best way possible, they need to “Just Win Baby”. His career and playing style can serve as a model for 2015’s team, and should push them to make team history just like Stabler and his teams did in the 70’s.

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