Ken Stabler, former Raiders QB, dies
— -- Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler died Wednesday from complications resulting from Stage 4 colon cancer, the team confirmed Thursday. He was 69.
"The Raiders are deeply saddened by the passing of the great Ken Stabler," said owner Mark Davis in a team release. "He was a cherished member of the Raider family and personified what it means to be a Raider. He wore the Silver and Black with Pride and Poise and will continue to live in the hearts of Raider fans everywhere. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to Kenny's family."
After playing college football at Alabama, Stabler was drafted by the Raiders in the second round in the 1968 NFL draft.
The Foley, Alabama, native threw for 27,938 yards during his 15-year career in the NFL, compiling a 96-49-1 record as a starting quarterback. He played for the Raiders from 1970 to 1979, winning the NFL MVP award in 1974 and earning Pro Bowl honors four times.
"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," former Raiders coach John Madden said in the team release. "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."
Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks was an Oakland teammate of Stabler's from 1975 to 1979. He said Thursday evening that he had no idea Stabler was ill.
"That was him. He just wanted to fight it quietly," Hendricks said. "He was such a gentleman. We're going to miss him. He was always charming, and he was a great a football player."
After moving on from Oakland, Stabler played two years for the Houston Oilers and three for the New Orleans Saints before retiring after the 1984 season.
Stabler's family released a statement through his foundation, saying he had been battling cancer since February.
"He passed peacefully surrounded by the people he loved most, including his three daughters and longtime partner, as some of his favorite songs played in the background, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama' and Van Morrison's 'Leaves Falling Down,'" the statement read in part.
Stabler's brain and spinal cord were donated to Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center to support research into degenerative brain disease among athletes, according to the family.
ESPN's Bill Williamson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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