Alabama Football Legend Kenny Stabler Passes Away

Update 6:20 p.m. WAFF TV out of Huntsville reports that a spokesman for Alabama confirms that Kenny Stabler did pass away.

Update 6 p.m. Tuscaloosa News’ Aaron Suttles tweeted this moments ago.

We heard the rumors earlier this morning of Stabler passing away but could not confirm one way or another. The Tuscaloosa News is one of the most reputable news organizations that cover Alabama athletics and Aaron Suttles is one of the best. When several news organizations that are respected published the story, we felt that the information was more than likely and sadly true. We hope and pray that he is still with us.

Tuscaloosa News now says that the Stabler story is unconfirmed, they are backtracking a bit. Perhaps the Snake has some moves left? Let’s pray and hope.

Sad news to report today. The Tuscaloosa News as well as BamaOnline are reporting that Alabama and NFL legend Kenny Stabler has passed away. Local 15 NBC News out of Mobile said that the president of the Stabler Foundation confirmed his passing. He was 69 years old.

Born and raised in Foley, Al., Stabler was standout at Foley High School in not only football but in other sports as well. On the football field, he compiled at 29-1 record. He was also good enough on the baseball mound that he received minor league contract offers from the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees. Stabler could even do his thing on the hardwood as he averaged 29 points per game while at Foley.

As all Alabama fans already know, Stabler’s path would lead him to Tuscaloosa in 1964. NCAA rules at the time didn’t allow freshman to play. The Snake would see his first action during his sophomore year in a limited role as a back-up to Steve Sloan. During his first year as starter during his junior year, Stabler led the Crimson Tide to a perfect 11-0 record but finished the season ranked third. The one play that will stand out to most Alabama fans would have to be “The Run in the Mud” against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The Tide trailed the Tigers until Stabler tromped through the mud for a 53-yard touchdown run to give Alabama the win.

Stabler was drafted in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. After severe knee injuries, he became more of drop-back passer with the ability to bring a team from behind and most of the time could do it at will. He was named the AFC Player of the Year for the 1974 and 1976 seasons and led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl win in 1977. At the time, he was reached 100 wins faster than any quarterback that had came before him. Since then, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, and Tom Brady have accomplished that feat faster.

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Many of the younger Alabama fans will remember Stabler’s time in the broadcast booth, at first with CBS Sports and later with the Crimson Tide Sports Network alongside Eli Gold. He also served as chairman of the XOXO Stabler Foundation with the mission “to raise funds, build awareness and hope for a variety of charitable causes.” His celebrity golf tournaments in Point Clear, Al. also raised more than $600,000 for the Ronald McDonald House which served the families for children that were being treated for serious illnesses in local hospitals.

All of the staff at Bama Hammer wishes to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Stabler family.