Ken Stabler Childhood

Kenneth Michael Stabler was born on December 25, 1945 in Foley, AL. He was the son of Sally and Leroy Stabler. Growing up, the small town kid had big dreams. He wanted to be a professional athlete. With his excepional athleticism, he was able to bring it to reality.

Ken Stabler High School Stats and Awards

Stabler attended Foley High School. He played basketball, baseball and football. The nickname ‘Snake’ can be traced back to his high school days, given to him because of the way he scrambled on the field. Football became the sport of choice and his play earned him a scholarship to the University of Alabama.  

Ken Stabler College Career Stats and Notes

Stabler played for Alabama from 1965-67. He threw for 2,196 yards, 18 TDs and 18 INTs while completing 108 passes on 303 attempts. During his college career the Crimson Tide played in three major bowl games, including winning the national championship in 1965. Stabler was both First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC selections in 1967.

Ken Stabler NFL Career Stats and Notes

Stabler was selected in the 2nd round (52nd overall) in the 1968 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He spent twelve seasons with the Silver and Black, leading the Raiders to a 32-14 Super Bowl XI victory over the Minnesota Vikings. In 1980 Snake joined the Houston Oilers. He was there for two seasons before signed with the New Orleans Saints. He called it a career and retired after the 1984 season. Stabler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Ken Stabler Sea of Hands, Holy Roller Plays

Stabler created two of the most memorable moments in NFL history with his improvising. In a 1974 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the 2-time defending Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins, Stabler ended the Dolphins quest of a three-peat with a last minute TD pass known as the Sea of Hands catch.

Late in the 4th with the ball at the Miami 8, Stabler dropped back to pass. While trying to scramble from the pressure, he was hit by a defender. As he was falling down Stabler somehow tossed the ball into the end zone. The ball fell into the hands of Clarence Davis who was surrounded by several Dolphins defenders who were trying to deflect or intercept the ball. Stabler’s heroics led to the Raiders’ 28-26 win.

In 1978, Stabler was part of the infamous ‘Holy Roller’ play. Against the San Diego Chargers, the Raiders trailer 20-14 with 10 seconds left in the game. With the ball at the Chargers' 14-yard line, Stabler dropped back and a Chargers' defender hit him, but Snake was able to ‘fumble’ the ball ahead towards the goal line. The ball was advanced by a couple of Raiders players before Dave Casper fell on it in the end zone for a TD as time expired. The Raiders won the game 21-20. The play was so controversial that the league changed the rules on advancing a fumble forward.

List of Pro Football Hall of Fame Members