North Carolina State University Athletics
Roman Gabriel to be Inducted into National Quarterback Hall of Fame
8/11/2020 4:00:00 PM | Football
Roman Gabriel played 16 years of professional football in the NFL. Five years before the NFL-AFL Common Draft began, Gabriel would be the first AFL pick and the second overall pick in the 1962 NFL Draft. He played for the Los Angeles Rams for eleven seasons, then five seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles.Â
A two-time All-American at North Carolina State University and two-time ACC Player of the Year, Gabriel finished his college career holding virtually every Wolfpack passing record. Also an academic All-American, Gabriel saw his jersey retired after his senior season. As captain of his team, Gabriel set 22 school and nine conference football records. In his three years at NC State, he threw for 2,961 yards and 20 touchdowns, and rushed for 15 more. When the Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary Football Team was announced in 2003, Gabriel listed among the top 50 players in the   history of the ACC.Â
After joining the Los Angeles Rams in 1962, Gabriel would share the quarterback duties with Zeke Bartkowski and Bill Munson until 1966, when George Allen took over as the Rams' head coach. Gabriel started all 14 games of the 1966 season and led the Rams to their first winning season since 1958. In 1967, Gabriel took the 11–1–2 Rams to the playoffs as NFL Coastal Division Champions. The 1967 Rams finished as the highest scoring team in the NFL. Gabriel threw for 2,779 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was a Second-team All-Pro and posted his first Pro Bowl.Â
The 1969 season was perhaps Gabriel's best season with the Rams. He threw 24 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the AP and NEA, the Player of the Year by the UPI, and was voted All-Pro and received his third Pro Bowl.Â
In 1970, the NFL-AFL merger would realign the schedules and conferences. From 1967-70, Gabriel led the Rams to a 41-14-4 overall record, and was named to three Pro Bowls during that four-year span.Â
After the 1972 season, Gabriel was traded to Philadelphia where he would post another great season and be named NFL Comeback Player of the Year as he led the Eagles with 270 completions, 460 attempts, 3,219 yards and 23 touchdowns (all league highs). With Gabriel as the starting quarterback, the Eagles offense was the most prolific passing game in the NFL.Â
In his career, he had a winning record of 86–64–7 passing for over 29,000 yards and 201 touchdowns. He is the only quarterback from his era to still be ranked high in the "lowest interception percentage" category in NFL passing statistics. He still holds the Rams' franchise career records for touchdown passes (154), passes attempted (3,313), and wins by a starting quarterback (74).Â
About the National Quarterback ClubÂ
The National Quarterback Club is guided by a comprehensive mission, a clear vision, and consistent values. Through its various award programs, the club recognizes outstanding athletes for their qualities and achievements on and off the playing field, and serve as a model for comprehensive excellence in athletic achievement, academic success, and greater social affinity. In 1985, the National Quarterback Club began a tradition of hosting annual fundraising events to honor the National Quarterback of the Year in professional, collegiate and high school ranks. Annual awards dinners have been hosted in great sports cities such as Washington D.C., Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Green Bay, Denver, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Houston and Scottsdale, Arizona.Â
