Rams legend and 1969 NFL MVP Roman Gabriel, dies at 83

Roman Gabriel, renowned NFL quarterback and the league’s MVP in 1969, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the age of 83.

The news of Gabriel’s passing was confirmed by his son, Roman III, in a social media post, where he revealed that his father “passed away peacefully” at home due to natural causes.

“We mourn the loss of Rams legend and football pioneer, Roman Gabriel. We extend our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” the Rams expressed in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Gabriel made his mark in football at North Carolina State, where he twice earned the ACC Player of the Year title. His talent caught the attention of the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted him as the second overall pick in the NFL Draft, right after selecting Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen.

For 11 seasons, Gabriel quarterbacked the Rams, leaving a lasting legacy as the franchise’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns with 154. His 22,223 yards rank third in the team’s history, following Jim Everett and Marc Bulger.

During his prime, Gabriel earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1967 to 1969. However, it was his outstanding performance in the 1969 season that solidified his reputation as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.

Leading the Rams to an 11-3 record, he topped the NFL with 24 touchdowns, earning the prestigious MVP title.

In 1973, Gabriel was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent the final five seasons of his illustrious career, notably leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns in his debut season with the team.

His remarkable comeback earned him the title of the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year by Pro Football Weekly.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to college football, Gabriel was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989, solidifying his status as a football icon.