Stabler ...

Damn, saddened by the  news of Ken Stabler's death from "complications associated with colon  cancer." I guess that means the treatments are what  actually did him in. Best known for his years playing quarterback for the Oakland Raiders under legendary coach  John Madden, he was 69 years old. 
 
Gone too soon.

Stabler, an all-American in college at Alabama who was nicknamed "The Snake" in high school for his elusive style of play, was one of the great characters in the NFL, on a Raiders team full of characters, like Ted Hendricks, John Matuszak, Lester Hayes, Dave Casper, Jack Tatum, Gene Upshaw, Phil Villapiano, and who can forget the great wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff. What a team that was, winning Super Bowl XI in 1977.

Always known for his coolness in pressure situations, one of my favorite Stabler stories was the time during an overtime game when a charged-up Madden called his  quarterback to the  sidelines to talk strategy. With the game on the  line and the  crowd going wild, Stabler looks  up into the  stands and  says, "These folks are sure gettin' their money's worth, ain't they, coach?"

He was one of the best, and  certainly one of the most colorful quarterbacks during  one of the NFL's greatest eras. Remember these names?

Joe Namath
Fran Tarkenton
John Brodie
Terry Bradshaw
Roger Staubach
Roman Gabriel
Daryle Lamonica
Bob Griese
Len Dawson
George Blanda

So long, Snake ...