- Gabriel won the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1969 with 24 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns.
- While playing football, Gabriel starred in a Hollywood film with John Wayne
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Roman Gabriel, the former North Carolina quarterback who was the 1969 NFL Most Valuable Player with the Los Angeles Rams, died Saturday. He was 83 years old.
Gabriel’s son, Romano III, announced his father’s death in a social media post, saying he had “passed away peacefully” that morning of natural causes at his home.
Gabriel was a two-time Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year (1960 and 1961) while at NC State, becoming the first ACC quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards in a season.
He ended up being the second overall pick in the NFL draft by the Rams, where he played from 1962 to 1972 before playing with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1977.
He was the Most Valuable Player in 1969, throwing for 2,549 yards and 24 touchdowns, plus five rushing scores.
Former NFL MVP Roman Gabriel died Saturday at age 83, his son announced on social media.
Gabriel was the Most Valuable Player in 1969, throwing for 2,549 yards and 24 touchdowns with five rushing touchdowns.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times. He threw for 22,223 yards and 154 touchdowns in his 11-year career with the Rams, leaving that franchise as his career leading passer.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Gabriel also had acting roles in television and movies.
His list of projects included the 1968 film ‘Skidoo,’ headlined by Jackie Gleason, and the 1969 film ‘The Undefeated,’ starring John Wayne and Rock Hudson.
“We mourn the loss of Rams legend and football pioneer Roman Gabriel. We extend our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” the Rams’ official X account stated.