Roman Gabriel passed away on Saturday at the age of 83 at his Little River, South Carolina, home. Gabriel still owns the franchise record for most touchdown passes with the Los Angeles Rams with 154. His son Roman Gabriel III claims that natural causes contributed to his death. Out of North Carolina State, Gabriel was the second overall selection by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1962 draft. In 1969, he was named the league MVP and became the first Filipino-American quarterback in NFL history.
During the late 1960s, he participated in three Pro Bowl games with the Rams and one with the Eagles in 1973. However, he only made it to the postseason twice, and both times his Rams were defeated in the opening round.
The Rams posted a statement on X, now known as Twitter, saying, “We mourn the loss of Rams legend and football pioneer, Roman Gabriel.”
Gabriel was named North Carolina State’s player of the year twice in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 1989, he was admitted to the College Football Hall of Fame. After the Rams acquired John Hadl, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played for five years until finishing his career with the Rams.
Gabe was a superb athlete and an even better coach. Gabriel’s backup quarterback for the Eagles during his final season, retired quarterback Ron Jaworski, said on X, “Words can’t express my gratitude for what a great teammate he was.” “A better man and a special player!”
Gabriel guided the Rams to two division titles and a 41-14-4 record from 1967 to 1970, but he never made it to the postseason. After throwing for 2,549 yards with 24 touchdown passes and five rushing scores, he was chosen as the 1969 MVP.
In 1973, Gabriel was acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles. With 23 touchdown passes and 3,219 yards, he was leading the NFL in comeback players of the year.
Who was Roman Gabriel?
Roman Gabriel was one of the best quarterbacks in professional football in the 1960s; his son announced his passing on Saturday morning. He was eighty years old. Gabriel was chosen first overall in the AFL Draft in 1959 and second overall in the NFL Draft in 1962. Gabriel played for NC State from 1959 to 1961. Playing collegiate football for the NC State Wolfpack, he was named to the first team of the All-American football team twice. After being selected second overall in the 1962 NFL Draft, Gabriel spent 11 seasons as a player for the Los Angeles Rams and then spent five years with the Philadelphia Eagles. In addition to being the first NFL quarterback of Filipino-American heritage, he made history in 1969 by earning the NFL MVP award.
Roma Gabriel’s Early Life and Education
Gabriel was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Edna Mae Wyatt and a Filipino immigrant named Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Sr. Gabriel was a poor child who suffered from asthma throughout his childhood. Despite this, he participated in high school football at New Hanover High School, from which he graduated in 1958. Later on, he became a standout quarterback at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where he attended.
After completing his undergraduate career, Gabriel concluded with practically every passing record that the Wolfpack had ever set. He was a two-time All-American and a two-time ACC Player of the Year (1960–1961). This was the first time in the history of the program that Gabriel’s jersey was retired after his senior season. It was subsequently handed to him by North Carolina Governor Terry Sanford on January 20, 1962, at the halftime of a basketball game between North Carolina State and Maryland that was played in Reynolds Coliseum. Gabriel was an academic All-American. When Gabriel was the captain of his team, he established 22 school records and nine conference records in football. A total of 19 touchdowns and 2,961 yards were thrown by him.
His arm strength earned him the title of best amateur athlete in the Carolinas, and he also played baseball. He was known for his physical prowess. For his three-year career, he threw for twenty touchdowns and ran for fifteen. Gabriel was one of the top 50 players in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference to be included on the 50th Anniversary Football Team that was announced in 2003 following the announcement of the 50th Anniversary Football Team. In the year 1989, Gabriel was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Roman Gabriel Professional Career
Gabriel was the first pick in the American Football League draft in 1962, taken by the Oakland Raiders. He was also the second pick in the National Football League draft that same year, selected by the Los Angeles Rams. Following his signing with the Rams, Gabriel went on to have a successful and illustrious professional career.
During his time with the Los Angeles Rams, Gabriel wore the number 18, and with the Philadelphia Eagles, he wore the number 5. Gabriel was a member of the National Football League for a total of sixteen seasons, during which he saw action with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1977 and the Los Angeles Rams from 1962 to 1972. The National Football League presented him with the Most Valuable Player Award in 1969, and he was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1973. When he retired, he was the all-time passing leader with the Rams with 22,223 yards and 154 touchdowns (1,705 completions/3,313 att). He also accomplished the same feat with the Eagles, when he threw for 7,221 yards and 45 touchdowns (661 completions/1,185 att). He was given the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1973 for his accomplishments, which included leading the NFL in passing yards with 3,219 and scoring 23 touchdowns. The Rams’ career marks for touchdown passes (154), passes attempted (3,313), and he still holds victories by a starting quarterback (74) as of the conclusion of the regular season of the National Football League in 2016.
Conclusion
Roman Gabriel was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the second overall pick in the draft in 1962. He was a large player with a powerful arm. Even though he was playing during a time when the Rams were known for their ground-and-pound offense, he still retains the record for the most touchdown passes with 154. Gabriel, the first Filipino-American quarterback to play in the National Football League and the Man of the Year in 1969, passed away on Saturday. He was 83 years old.
