Gabriel, NFL’s first Filipino-American QB, passes away at 83
Apr 20, 2024, 04:40 PM ET
Roman Gabriel had huge size and a big arm when he was the No. 2 draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1962. Even while playing in an era of grinding it out on the ground, he still holds the Rams’ team record with 154 touchdown passes.Gabriel, the very first Filipino-American quarterback in the NFL and the league MVP in 1969, passed away Saturday. He was 83. His boy, Roman Gabriel III, revealed
his daddy’s death on social media, stating he passed away peacefully at home of natural causes.In 2021, the older Gabriel informed the Los Angeles Times,”I am retired with heart issues and arthritis but pleased. “He said he divided time in between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Little River, South Carolina.”We grieve the loss of Rams legend and football pioneer, Roman Gabriel,
“the Rams stated on X, formerly called Twitter.Gabriel, who dipped into NC State and was a two-time player of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. He was 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, big for a quarterback because period. Green Bay coach Vince Lombardi as soon as explained him as”a big telephone pole,”according to the Los Angeles Times.Gabriel played 11 years for the Rams and 5 years with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was traded after the
Rams acquired John Hadl.”Gabe was an incredible player and an even better mentor. Words can’t describe my thanks for what a great colleague he was,”retired quarterback Ron Jaworski, whom Gabriel supported on the Eagles in his final season, published on X.” A special player and a better male!”Gabriel was such a hot possibility that the Rams made him the No. 2 choice in the NFL draft, and the Oakland Raiders of the competing AFL selected
him No. 1. Gabriel wound up signing with the Rams, though it took until George Allen was worked with as coach in 1966 for Gabriel to start leaving a mark.From 1967 to 1970, Gabriel led the Rams to a 41-14-4 record and 2 department titles, though never ever a playoff game. He was voted MVP in 1969 after
throwing for 2,549 backyards with 24 goal passes and five hurrying scores.Allen left for Washington after the 1970, and Gabriel was shipped to the Eagles in 1973. He was the NFL return player of the year, leading the league with 23 goal passes and 3,219 yards, as he tried to assist restore the Eagles ‘offense.After retiring, Gabriel worked briefly for CBS, calling NFL games.He entered into coaching, with stints at Cal Poly Pomona, the Boston Breakers of the USFL and Raleigh-Durham worldwide League of American Football.Gabriel also meddled acting.
His movie credits included “Skidoo”starring Jackie Gleason in 1968, and 1969’s”The Undefeated”starring John Wayne and Rock Hudson. He appeared in such television programs as”Gilligan
‘s Island,””Perry Mason,” “Ironside”and”Wonder Lady. “He likewise joined Bob Hope on a USO trip of Vietnam.