Renowned for his contributions to the National Football League (NFL), Roman Gabriel died at his home on April 20, 2024, aged 83. He had a distinguished career as a quarterback, most notably with the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Roman Gabriel III, his son, announced the unfortunate news on a social media platform, “X”. He expressed his sorrow and asked for prayers and privacy for the family, ending the message with a heartfelt tribute: “I love you, Dad.”
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Gabriel displayed his athletic abilities early on at New Hanover High School, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. He decided to pursue football and attended North Carolina State University (NCSU). He was named an All-American twice before being drafted into the NFL in 1962.
He had a stellar career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he played for 11 seasons. Gabriel was known for his powerful throw and competitive demeanor. He steered the Rams to numerous victories, including a remarkable 11-1-2 record in 1967, and was named NFL MVP in 1969. His time with the Rams saw him break numerous records and receive four Pro Bowl selections.
After a series of injuries during his final seasons with the Rams, Gabriel was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles before the 1973 season. The Eagles exchanged star receiver Harold Jackson and two first-round draft picks for the former MVP. At 33, Gabriel revived his career in Philadelphia. Over 53 games, he passed for 7,221 yards and 47 touchdowns, secured his fourth Pro Bowl selection, and was named the Pro Football Writers of America Comeback Player of the Year.
In his standout 1973 season, the 6’5″ tall Gabriel worked with a notable group of receivers known as the “Fire High Gang,” including Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael (6’8″), tight end Charle Young (6’5″), and wide receiver Don Zimmerman (6’4″). This team enabled Gabriel to achieve career highs with 270 completions and 3,219 passing yards, leading the league in both categories and in passing touchdowns with 24.
Gabriel’s NFL tenure ended with the Eagles in 1977, marking his 16th and last season. In the history of the Eagles, he stands ninth in completion percentage (55.8), tenth in passing attempts (1,185), and thirteenth in passing yards (7,221).
In 1989, Gabriel was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. While at NC State, he was twice named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, was the first ACC quarterback to pass for over 1,000 yards in a single season, and was included in NC State’s inaugural athletic Hall of Fame class in 2012.
Gabriel was also actively involved in philanthropy off the field. In 1974, moved by his teammate Fred Hill’s daughter’s leukemia battle, he supported the creation of the first Ronald McDonald House. This initiative offered housing for families in need while their children received treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Gabriel played a crucial role in fundraising through a McDonald’s campaign, leading to the establishment of the first Ronald McDonald House in the country. Inspired by this success, Gabriel later assisted in opening the first Ronald McDonald House in North Carolina.
Following his death, his former team, The Los Angeles Rams, issued a statement: “Roman was a true pioneer and one of the best ever to play the game. He was a leader on the field and a gentleman off of it.”
Despite his incredible achievements, Gabriel was never inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a point that has sparked debate among sports analysts and fans.
