OT: RIP Kenny "the Snake" Stabler at 69 years old

[Knightmoves]

Great college QB at Alabama who played for Bear Bryant and winning NFL QB who played for John Madden and the Oakland Raiders. Four time NFL pro bowler and NFL POY in 1976. Won a Super Bowl with the Raiders in 1977. Originally from Foley, AL near Mobile he was known as a hard living guy who was known to throw a few right hands after a long night of drinking with his pals.

After graduating from RU I worked on a construction management assignment for a year in Mobile, AL. One night I was out at an upscale bar/restaurant and happened to connect with a local coed there. While we were talking we were informed that the bar was closing early and that everyone had to leave immediately. As we were leaving the place I asked one of the staff why they were closing early. He replied that Kenny the Snake hit on the date of a guy in the restaurant and when the guy objected to it Stabler gave him a good thrashing right at their table. I later found out that this was a common occurrence with Stabler and that he was always given a hall pass for his actions because he was a local Bama FB hero. If you google his name you'll read other stories of questionable behavior on his part after his playing days.

http://deadspin.com/5646039/the-1970s-oakland-raiders-boozin-and-coozin-through-el-rancho

 

[RUTGERZ_R00LZ]

Great college QB at Alabama who played for Bear Bryant and winning NFL QB who played for John Madden and the Oakland Raiders. Four time NFL pro bowler and NFL POY in 1976. Won a Super Bowl with the Raiders in 1977. Originally from Foley, AL near Mobile he was known as a hard living guy who was known to throw a few right hands after a long night of drinking with his pals.

After graduating from RU I worked on a construction management assignment for a year in Mobile, AL. One night I was out at an upscale bar/restaurant and happened to connect with a local coed there. While we were talking we were informed that the bar was closing early and that everyone had to leave immediately. As we were leaving the place I asked one of the staff why they were closing early. He replied that Kenny the Snake hit on the date of a guy in the restaurant and when the guy objected to it Stabler gave him a good thrashing right at their table. I later found out that this was a common occurrence with Stabler and that he was always given a hall pass for his actions because he was a local Bama FB hero. If you google his name you'll read other stories of questionable behavior on his part after his playing days.

When you're down by 6 and you have the ball on your own 20, with 1:30 to go -- you want the ball in Kenny's hands. One of the best in the late game. Staubach was another of my favorites in the 2-minute game.

 

[Knight Shift]

The Snake was fun to watch. RIP

 

[Knight Shift]

 

[Ru2bnj]

I don't remember him playing at Alabama..a little young for that. However, I do certainly remember his days with the Oakland Raiders and he was one of the very best QBs in the NFL during the 70s. A very accurate and precise passer and a tough guy with very limited athletic ability. I always was aware of his reputation as a big party guy and heavy drinker. I did not know that he was involved with brawling. A different world back then, you could have a private life and the whole world didn't know about it. If they played well on Sundays, they were given a pass on their off day stuff. Huge money and corporatism really has changed the culture of sports stars. Stabler fit the 70s...it was the era of the anti hero.

 

[WhiteBus]

Sad to hear. 69 is young these days. A true awesome talent

 

[Abro1975]

I think I remember he got fired from his Alabama TV commentator gig for being drunk and saying crazy things. He had almost as much charisma as Joe Namath.

He was 69. Men of a certain age, actually ladies as well, need to go for Colonoscopies every 5 years or so.

http://6abc.com/sports/ken-stabler-former-raiders-qb-dies/838961/

I was a Colt and Giant fan during Stablers days, but enjoyed watching that crazy team, with Ted Hendricks at LB, nutty Lyle Alzado at DT, Otis Sistrunk who listed his college as The University of Mars, one eyed All HOF WR Fred Biletnikoff, TE Dave Casper, future NFLPA Pres All Pro guard Gene Upshaw, Call Me Assasin HOF DB Passaic HS Jack Tatum, Fullback Mark Van Eagen, All Pro Center Dave Dalby, speedster WR Cliff Branch, All Pro DB George Atkinson, All PRO OL Art Shell, RB Clarence Davis , and many other stars, all coached by legend John Madden.

 

[RUnumber1]

This news saddens me to no end. As a diehard lifelong Raiders fan, I loved Kenny and even have his autograph. He was my kind of a player, cool, always in control, and always was able to pull out his best whenever it was needed to win the game. That lousy and incorrect call on the "immaculate reception" was a real crime. It costed the Snake another Super Bowl. He was also my kind of man. Drove Corvettes, was a huge ladies man, and backed down from no one. RIP Snake.

 

[Knightmoves]

The following is a strange story that happened when Stabler invited a Sacramento Bee reporter who he was feuding with to get an exclusive interview with him near his hometown in Gulf Shoress, AL after the Super Bowl. The reporter ended up in jail on cocaine possession charges. Not one of Kenny's finest moments, although the local PD could not solve the case against their own good old boys and drinking buddies.

http://www.si.com/vault/1979/04/23/...used-to-set-up-a-sportswriter-for-a-drug-bust

 

[Peteyd]

RIP Snake. For my money the best Raider QB ever. It's an absolute shame he is not in the hall of fame. Raider nation mourns.

If you want to know more about his life check out his book - it's a great read for anyone that loves football.
http://www.amazon.com/Snake-Ken-Stabler/dp/0385234503

 

[RUaMoose]

When you're down by 6 and you have the ball on your own 20, with 1:30 to go -- you want the ball in Kenny's hands. One of the best in the late game. Staubach was another of my favorites in the 2-minute game.

Didn't hurt having two HofF receivers to throw to, Fred Bilenikoff and Dave Casper. THose 70s era Raiders teams were fun to watch.

 

[Saint Puppy]

The following is a strange story that happened when Stabler invited a Sacramento Bee reporter who he was feuding with to get an exclusive interview with him near his hometown in Gulf Shoress, AL after the Super Bowl. The reporter ended up in jail on cocaine possession charges. Not one of Kenny's finest moments, although the local PD could not solve the case against their own good old boys and drinking buddies.

http://www.si.com/vault/1979/04/23/...used-to-set-up-a-sportswriter-for-a-drug-bust

Didn't know much about Stabler as a football player, but he sounded like a piece of work as a person who got away with everything because he was an athlete. Never wish, or am happy to see anyone pass, but doesn't sound like my kind of person.

 

[lighty]

Stabler and Casper were the guys who made me a Raiders fan as a kid. He was a great QB. The Raiders have recently begun pushing to get Ken in the HOF.

 

[RUaMoose]

Was Stabler gay ? FB post says he was surrounded by family and his long time 'partner'. That would be news to me.

 

[Knightmoves]

Was Stabler gay ? FB post says he was surrounded by family and his long time 'partner'. That would be news to me.

Yikes, RUaMoose. Sounds like he was divorced 2-3 times and was shacking with a woman without being married to her when he passed. After 3 divorces wouldn't the next chick be a "partner" ?

A Crimson Tide HOF QB thought to be gay ? Don't talk that way on Alabama soil my friend. The natives will not be so friendly to you. LOL

Interesting fact is that Kenny Stabler was the next great Bama QB right after Joe Namath. He couldn't get arrested in Lower Alabama if he tried. The Chief of Police of his hometown was his drinking buddy.

 

[retired711]

Knight Shift, thanks so much for posting that video. As a law school student at Berkeley without a TV, I listend to Bill King's call of the 1974 play-off game with Miami. Yes, it was one of the greatest games ever played.

 

[RUaMoose]

Well usually when they say 'partner' its a gay thing. Heterosexuals usually say 'companion' or friend or girlfriend. Also, in the FB post they would not name this 'partner' (why?). Hey I honestly don't care. I was just wondering if this (his coming out) was something I missed.

 

[RUnumber1]

What a bunch of assholes!!!! All of you couldn't touch a hair on Kenny's ass. You wish you had a 100th of the talent and balls that Kenny had. Grow up!!