Kenny Stabler, An American Legend
Kenny Stabler, a former Alabama Crimson Tide and Oakland Raiders quarterback, will be missed. Age 69 is just too young to leave us. There is no doubt he is an American legend with lived a colorful life.
Kenny Stabler – Crimson Tide and NFL
Recruited by Bear Bryant of the University of Alabama football team, Kenny joined the team in 1964, the same year that Bear Bryant led the Crimson Tide to a National Championship with Joe Namath as the quarterback. In 1966, Stabler led Alabama to an undefeated season and was chosen the Sugar Bowl MVP after a 34-7 win over Nebraska. He also ran for a 53-yard long touchdown on a rain-soaked field during the 1967 Iron Bowl, scoring the only touchdown of the game. The Tide won 7-3 over Auburn. The 53-yard run is still referred to as “Run in the Mud.”
After college, Kenny earned fame in the NFL as he led the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl victory. In 1974, he was voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player.
Broadcasting Career with Eli Gold
Kenny enjoyed a broadcasting career as a color commentator, providing expert analysis and background information while working with the famed voice of Alabama football broadcaster Eli Gold, until retiring in 2008. Kenny Stabler Early Years – All American Athlete
Kenny Stabler from Foley, Alabama, was an all-American athlete. It was during his high school years that earned the name “Snake” after a long, winding football touchdown.
Thanks for the Memories
He has left many of us, especially if you are a football fan, with a lot of great memories and numerous stories to tell. Great quote by John Madden, former head coach of the Oakland Raiders (speaking of Kenny Stabler, “Snake”) – “I’ve often said, if I had one drive to win a game to this day, and I had a QB to pick, I would pick Kenny. Snake was a lot cooler than I was. He was a perfect QB and a perfect Raider.”
As I heard the news this week of his passing, I recalled a birthday celebration back in 2006. We celebrated my mom’s birthday at Kenny’s newly opened restaurant called Twelve. Located on University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it is a high-end steak restaurant. Not only was the food incredible, but the opportunity my mom had (plus all of us!) to talk with Kenny Stabler was fun and memorable. I love the look on my mom’s face! She was enjoying the moment!
My mom passed away in February of 2008. We have a lifetime of happy memories that I often recall. Glad I remembered to take pictures of her birthday celebration with the “Snake” (Kenny Stabler) and captured the look on her face!
Interested in learning more about Kenny Stabler? Check out his official website: Kenny Stabler official website
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Stabler