Former Alabama Crimson Tide and Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken “The Snake” Stabler passed away earlier this week at age 69, following a battle with colon cancer. Stabler’s death was announced on his personal Facebook page, in a heartwarming post by his family.
Here is the family's statement on the death of Ken Stabler. pic.twitter.com/OnKwcpQKVR
— Phil Barber (@Skinny_Post) July 9, 2015
Of course, the rest of the football world took to social media and offered tributes of their own. Namely, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban offered a wonderful statement of his own, as did former Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron.
Alabama coach Nick Saban on the death of Ken Stabler pic.twitter.com/ZyvoEoMm0J
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) July 10, 2015
I have to break my Twitter silence for the LEGEND Kenny "The Snake" Stabler. One of mentors urging my college days and a very close friend.
— AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) July 10, 2015
Alabama AD Bill Battle and Deborah Lane, a spokeswoman for the university, also offered statements.
Alabama AD Bill Battle & University spokeswoman Deborah Lane released the following statements about Stabler's death: pic.twitter.com/I5Ayy6asT2
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) July 9, 2015
Naturally, Hall of Famer and Stabler’s former coach with the Raiders, John Madden, offered a brief statement that is a testament to how much the man was respected.
John Madden statement on passing of Ken Stabler #Raiders pic.twitter.com/4Dvhsg8033
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) July 10, 2015
Stabler went 28-3-2 as a starter at Alabama, playing for the legendary Bear Bryant, and led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season in 1966, ultimately winning the Sugar Bowl against Nebraska. He was then picked by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft and went on to make four Pro Bowls and also led the league in touchdown passes twice. Stabler was also under center when the Raiders defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI.
Campus Sports offers our condolences to the Stabler family.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
