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Raiders legend Ken 'The Snake' Stabler dies at 69

 
Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler
Published July 10, 2015

Ken Stabler, among the greatest quarterbacks in Raiders history, died Wednesday of complications from colon cancer. He was 69.

Mr. Stabler's family confirmed his death in a Facebook post. "He passed peacefully surrounded by the people he loved most," the statement read, "including his three daughters and longtime partner, as some of his favorite songs played … such as (Lynyrd Skynyrd's) Sweet Home Alabama and Van Morrison's Leaves Falling Down."

Mr. Stabler, a former Alabama standout nicknamed "The Snake" for his elusiveness on the field, played for the Raiders from 1970-79, the Houston Oilers from 1980-81, and the New Orleans Saints from 1982-84. The Foley, Ala., native threw for 27,938 career yards over 15 seasons.

He was AFC player of the year in 1974 and 1976, leading the NFL in passing in the latter season. He also led the Raiders to the first of their three Super Bowl victories.

"He was such a big part of the great Raider success," Hall of Fame coach John Madden told the Los Angeles Times by phone Thursday, his voice cracking. "It's just a shock. You think of all the good times, all the games, all the drives, and how when everything else was the hottest in the heat of the game, he'd be the coolest."

Mr. Stabler was a four-time Pro Bowl pick, leading Oakland to consistent success during the 1970s, including a 32-14 win over the Vikings in the 1977 Super Bowl.

He first showed his professional chops in the game best known for the "Immaculate Reception." Mostly forgotten was his replacing starter Daryle Lamonica and leading the Raiders to what seemed to be the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter until Franco Harris' spectacular catch and run won it for Pittsburgh.

But for all of his bravado, Mr. Stabler was not a wild thrower. He was one of the most accurate passers of his time. "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,'' Madden said.