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April 22 (UPI) -- Roman Gabriel's erstwhile teams and teammates proceed to mourn aft learning of nan decease of nan NFL's first Filipino-American quarterback. The 1969 MVP, who died of earthy causes, was 83.
Gabriel's son, Roman Gabriel III, said he died while astatine home Saturday successful Little River, S.C. His assemblage is successful nan attraction of Little River's Lee Funeral Home, but no services had been scheduled arsenic of Monday morning.
"We mourn nan nonaccomplishment of Rams fable and shot pioneer, Roman Gabriel," nan Los Angeles Rams wrote connected societal media. "We widen our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
Gabriel, a Wilmington, N.C., native, attended nan city's New Hanover High School. He past starred astatine North Carolina State, mounting galore schoolhouse passing records and resulting successful his 1989 induction into nan College Football Hall of Fame.
Gabriel, who besides played for nan Wolfpack shot team, went connected to go nan No. 1 wide prime by nan Oakland Raiders successful nan 1962 AFL Draft. Two days later, he was selected by nan Rams arsenic nan No. 2 prime successful nan 1962 NFL Draft.
He completed 52.6% of his throws for 29,444 yards, 201 touchdowns and 149 interceptions complete 183 profession appearances successful nan NFL.
The four-time Pro Bowl action and 1969 All-Pro besides earned 1973 Comeback Player of nan Year honors from nan Pro Football Writers of America. He received MVP honors successful 1969 from UPI, nan AP, NEA and Sporting News.
Gabriel made his NFL debut for nan Rams successful a 27-17 nonaccomplishment to nan Dallas Cowboys connected Sept. 30, 1962, astatine Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
He served arsenic a backup down Zeke Bratkowski and Bill Munson complete nan adjacent respective seasons, but often earned playing clip because of mediocre play aliases injuries sustained by nan starters.
He became nan superior starter successful 1966, starring nan Rams to an 8-6 grounds complete his 14 starts. He made nan Pro Bowl successful each of nan adjacent 3 seasons, including during his MVP campaign, erstwhile he led nan NFL pinch 24 touchdown passes.
Gabriel was traded to nan Philadelphia Eagles successful 1973. He led nan NFL pinch 270 completions, 460 attempts, 3,219 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes complete 14 starts that season.
Gabriel made 89-consecutive starts for nan Rams complete an eight-season stretch. That tally stood arsenic an NFL grounds astatine nan time, but now ranks 16th successful convention history. He went 0-2 successful 2 profession playoff appearances.
Gabriel remains nan Rams' franchise touchdown walk (154) leader. His 74 victories arsenic a starter besides guidelines arsenic a franchise grounds for a Rams quarterback.
"RIP Roman Gabriel," Ron Jaworski, 1 of Gabriel's erstwhile teammates, tweeted Saturday. "Gabe was an astonishing subordinate and an moreover amended mentor. Words can't explicate my acknowledgment for what a awesome teammate he was.
"A typical subordinate and a amended man!"
Gabriel served arsenic a broadcaster for nan NFL connected CBS from 1978 to 1979. He besides worked arsenic caput coach astatine California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and for nan Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks of nan World League of American Football. Gabriel was an violative coordinator for nan USFL's Boston Breakers successful 1983.
Outside of football, Gabriel made predominant TV impermanent appearances connected talk shows and enjoyed a little movie and TV acting career.
He besides served arsenic president for 2 Minor League Baseball franchises, promoted personage play tournaments and was known for helping to raise money for various charities.
"Oversized for a backmost astatine nan clip pinch magnificent beingness skills, Roman Gabriel simply rewrote nan NC State grounds books," National Football Foundation president Archie Manning said successful a news release.
"I had nan privilege of being inducted alongside Roman Gabriel successful 1989, and he was a typical personification who utilized his level arsenic an athlete, and later arsenic an actor, to make an effect successful nan community.
"We are profoundly saddened to study of his passing and our thoughts and prayers are pinch his family, friends and nan full Wolfpack nation."
Mandisa
Christian vocalist and "American Idol" alum Mandisa arrives astatine nan Grammy Awards successful Los Angeles connected January 31, 2010. Mandisa, who released six Christian albums including nan Grammy-winning "Overcomer," died astatine nan property of 47 connected April 18. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
