Oakland Raiders QB Ken Stabler Belongs In Hall of Fame

Quarterback Ken Stabler of the Oakland Raiders, who was sidelined in the second half of AFC championship game in Oakland, Sunday, Dec. 27, 1976, because of bruised ribs, has a smile for the photographer as he raises his finger to tell the world he thinks the Raiders are number one. Stabler led the Raiders to a 24-7 victory over the Steelers and a spot on January 9 at Super Bowl in Pasadena. (AP Photo)

The passing of an NFL legend is never easy to process, especially when he was part of so many memorable moments in the history of the game. Few have more such highlights than Ken Stabler. Nicknamed “the Snake” he had that reputation of biting opponents when they least expected it, stealing victories late in games. Over time some of his greatest moments earned unforgettable names.

The Sea of Hands

Ghost To The Post

The Holy Roller

Seeing those highlights makes it easy to forget that Stabler was much more than just a quarterback who was good in the clutch. He was a quarterback who was good period. Even before arriving in the NFL he won two national championships at Alabama. Then when he arrived he twice led the league in both completion percentage and touchdowns on his way to four Pro Bowl appearances. With the Raiders he compiled a ridiculous 69-26-1 record and didn’t have a losing record with the two other teams he played for.

His crowning achievement came in 1976 when he finally helped Oakland exorcise their playoff demons by getting past the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC to claim the franchises’ first Super Bowl title.

The only question left is how the man is not in the Hall of Fame. Stabler dominated a decade despite playing in a conference that featured the undefeated Miami Dolphins and the dynasty Steelers. He owns 22 fourth quarter comebacks and delivered 29 game-winning drives. He has more touchdown passes than Joe Namath and twice as many playoff victories as Warren Moon. Both of whom are in Canton.

People will cry foul about his limited numbers but that was the case for a lot of great quarterbacks in the 1970s, an era known for its dominant defenses and limited passing. By the time the rules changed to open up the offenses in 1978, Stabler was already on the down slope of his career. Yet he still managed back-to-back 3,000-yard seasons in ’78 and ’79 before he was traded to Houston at age 35.

The man is a integral part of one of the greatest eras in NFL history. Nobody remembers football in the 1970s without the name Ken Stabler coming up. That is why he belongs in the Hall of Fame.

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