Roman Gabriel (2012) - NC State Athletic Hall of Fame

Roman Gabriel

Awards

Individual Records

Set 22 school and nine ACC records during his playing career, as a two-way player in football
First ACC quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards in a season
In three seasons, threw for 19 touchdowns and ran for 15, setting the ACC record with 34 touchdowns
Led the nation in passing percentage at .604 in 1959
Still ranks seventh in career TD passes (19), completion percentage (.563) and TD responsibility (34) and 13th in career passing yardage (2,951)
Led NC State with five home runs and 18 RBIs as a junior first baseman in 1961

General Information

Redefined quarterback position in college and professional football because of his size (6-4, 225 pounds)
No. 18 jersey was retired by Gov. Terry Sanford (1962)
No. 1 overall pick of American Football League (Oakland Raiders, 1961)
No. 2 overall pick of National Football League (Los Angeles Rams, 1961)
Threw for 29,444 yards in 16 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles
All-time leading passer in history of Rams franchise
Led the NFL in passing yardage and touchdown passes in 1973
Enjoyed celebrated acting career while still playing in the NFL, with starring roles in major motion pictures "Skidoo" and "The Undefeated" and several television shows and commercials
Spent three decades doing charity work following his football retirement in 1977, raising more than $7 million for various organizations