Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016: Quarterback Ken Stabler
For the second consecutive year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will welcome eight new members. Here we take a look at crafty southpaw quarterback Ken Stabler.
The first weekend in August is always a special time for football fans. Training camps are in full swing, the preseason kicks off Sunday and there’s hope for all 32 NFL teams.
There is also this little event called the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony. It celebrates the accomplishments of the men who have made this a great game, be it as a player, coach or administrator.
Related Story: Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016: Quarterback Brett Favre
For the second straight year, there are eight legends in the class. The proud city of Canton, Ohio welcomes owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr., coach Tony Dungy, quarterback Brett Favre, linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, tackle Orlando Pace, quarterback Ken Stabler and guard Dick Stanfel.
We will take a look at the magnificent careers of each of these men as each receives the ultimate honor when it comes to their place in football history.
We have already delved into the careers of DeBartolo, Dungy, Favre, Greene, Harrison and Pace. Now it’s time to look back at the legendary play of quarterback Ken Stabler, known best for his days with the Oakland Raiders but also made stops with the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints.
When you look at the career numbers of “The Snake,” you may be surprised and/or disappointed to see that he threw more regular-season interceptions (222) than touchdown passes (194) during his 15-year career. You also understand that he played primarily in a different era. A second-round pick by the Raiders in 1968, he preceded the league’s massive rules changes to open up the passing game (1978) by 10 years.
Stabler became the primary starter for the Silver and Black in 1973. It was the beginning of five consecutive seasons in which the talented signal-caller would lead the team to the AFC Championship Game. He was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1974 and two years later, led Oakland to a 32-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XLI.
In the 1970s, there were fellow Hall of Famers at the position such as Bob Griese, Fran Tarkenton and Terry Bradshaw. But during that decade, both Stabler and Roger Staubach were arguably the two quarterbacks that specialized in those come-from-behind heroics.
With the former University of Alabama standout behind center, John Madden’s Raiders found ways to win big games. From the 1974 AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. the Dolphins (the “Sea of Hands”) to the 1977 AFC Divisional Playoffs at Baltimore against the Colts (the “Ghost to the Post”) to a 1978 regular-season win at San Diego (the “Holy Roller”) that forced a rules change, Stabler was always involved. With weapons such as wide receivers Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch to tight end Dave Casper, the Oakland offense was extremely efficient.
Just over a year ago (July 8, 2015), Stabler passed away at 69 years old due to colon cancer. On Thursday evening (courtesy of Raiders.com), his grandson Justin Moyes accepted the commemorative crest given to Hall of Famers elected posthumously.
More nfl spin zone: Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016: Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison
“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,” said Hall of Fame head coach John Madden in a team statement (via Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com). “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.”
Additional bio link courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame website