Professional Football Player. He played the quarterback position for both the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams from 1962 to 1972 and Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1977. Born Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr., he played football collegiately at North Carolina State University from 1959 to 1961, where he was both a two-time All-American (1960 and 1961) and two-time ACC Player of the Year (1960 and 1961). He was drafted by both the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams (1st Round, 2nd pick) and the American Football League's Oakland Raiders (1st Round, 1st pick), but signed with the NFL's Rams. He went to become one of the league's best quarterbacks by the end of the 1960s. He was named to the Pro Bowl from 1967 to 1969 and in 1969, was both an All-Pro and NFL MVP. That same year, he led the league in touchdown passes. He, along with the Rams' Fearsome Foursome defensive line, led Los Angeles to a 32-7-3 regular season record over that span that included a pair of division titles. He went on to play for the Rams for eleven years before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973. That year, he won Comeback Player of the Year (and was named to his fourth and final Pro Bowl) after pacing the NFL in attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdown passes. He played four more seasons in Philadelphia before retiring after the 1977 season. His career statistics included passing for over 29,000 yards and throwing 201 touchdown passes. After retiring from football, he enjoyed successful careers in acting, coaching and broadcasting. He also raised millions of dollars for various charities.
Professional Football Player. He played the quarterback position for both the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams from 1962 to 1972 and Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1977. Born Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr., he played football collegiately at North Carolina State University from 1959 to 1961, where he was both a two-time All-American (1960 and 1961) and two-time ACC Player of the Year (1960 and 1961). He was drafted by both the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams (1st Round, 2nd pick) and the American Football League's Oakland Raiders (1st Round, 1st pick), but signed with the NFL's Rams. He went to become one of the league's best quarterbacks by the end of the 1960s. He was named to the Pro Bowl from 1967 to 1969 and in 1969, was both an All-Pro and NFL MVP. That same year, he led the league in touchdown passes. He, along with the Rams' Fearsome Foursome defensive line, led Los Angeles to a 32-7-3 regular season record over that span that included a pair of division titles. He went on to play for the Rams for eleven years before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973. That year, he won Comeback Player of the Year (and was named to his fourth and final Pro Bowl) after pacing the NFL in attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdown passes. He played four more seasons in Philadelphia before retiring after the 1977 season. His career statistics included passing for over 29,000 yards and throwing 201 touchdown passes. After retiring from football, he enjoyed successful careers in acting, coaching and broadcasting. He also raised millions of dollars for various charities.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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