Renowned National Football League (NFL) figure, Roman Gabriel, died at the age of 83 in his home in Little River, South Carolina on April 20, 2024. The former quarterback notably impacted the professional football world, especially during his time with the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles.
His son, Roman Gabriel III, announced his father’s passing on the social media platform “X.” He shared his grief and asked for prayers as well as respect for the family’s privacy. He concluded with a heartfelt note to his father: “I love you, Dad.”
Gabriel was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and his athletic skills were evident early on. He shone in football, basketball, and baseball during his high school years at New Hanover High School. He chose to pursue football, earning All-American honors twice while attending North Carolina State University (NCSU) before being drafted into the NFL in 1962.
Within the NFL, Gabriel’s career soared with the Los Angeles Rams. Over his 11 seasons with the team, Gabriel became known for his powerful arm and competitive nature. He steered the Rams to numerous victories, including a standout 11-1-2 record in 1967, and was named NFL MVP in 1969. His time with the Rams resulted in several records and four Pro Bowl selections.
After suffering injuries in his final seasons with the Rams, Gabriel was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles before the 1973 season. The Eagles traded star receiver Harold Jackson and two first-round draft picks to secure the former MVP. At 33, Gabriel’s move to Philadelphia revitalized his career. He passed for 7,221 yards and 47 touchdowns in 53 games with the Eagles, earning another Pro Bowl appearance and being named the Pro Football Writers of America Comeback Player of the Year.
During his remarkable 1973 season, Gabriel (6’4″) threw to an impressive group of receivers known as the “Fire High Gang.” This included players such as Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael (6’8″), tight end Charle Young (6’5″), and wide receiver Don Zimmerman (6’4″). With their help, Gabriel achieved career-highs with 270 completions and 3,219 passing yards, leading the league in both categories and topping passing touchdowns with 24.
Gabriel concluded his NFL career in 1977 with the Eagles, marking his 16th and final season. In the history of the Eagles, he ranks 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. At NC State, he was twice named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, became the first ACC quarterback to pass for over 1,000 yards in a season, and was part of NC State’s inaugural athletic Hall of Fame class in 2012.
Off the field, Gabriel actively participated in charitable work. In 1974, he was instrumental in establishing the first Ronald McDonald House, an initiative that provided lodging for families of children undergoing treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This endeavor was inspired by his teammate Fred Hill, whose daughter was fighting leukemia. Gabriel played a crucial role in fundraising through a McDonald’s promotion, which led to the establishment of the first Ronald McDonald House in the country. Following this success, Gabriel also helped open the first Ronald McDonald House in North Carolina.
Following his passing, the Los Angeles Rams released 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 remarkable career, Gabriel was never inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a fact that has sparked debate among sports analysts and fans alike.
