Former Raiders QB, Ken Stabler Dead at 69

The Raiders quickly honored Stabler with this landing page on Raiders.com

On Thursday the family of former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken “The Snake” Stabler announced that he had passed away the day before, having succumbed to complications associated with colon cancer.

Having been diagnosed with advanced Stage 4 colon cancer in February, the battle Stabler waged against the disease was quiet and brief. But according to a statement released by the family, he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, while his favorite music played in the background.

A four-time Pro Bowler, Stabler led the NFL in touchdown passes in 1974 and was John Madden’s starter when Oakland won a championship two years later in Super Bowl XI. Both his former coach and Raiders owner Mark Davis quickly issued statements reacting to his passing.

“The Raiders are deeply saddened by the passing of the great Ken Stabler,” said Davis. “He was a cherished member of the Raider family and personified what it means to be a Raider. He wore the Silver and Black with Pride and Poise and will continue to live in the hearts of Raiders fans everywhere. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to Kenny’s family.”

Madden added: “I’ve often said, if I had one drive to win a game to this day, and I had a quarterback to pick, I would pick Kenny. Snake was a lot cooler than I was. He was a perfect quarterback and a perfect Raider.”

According to his family, at his request, Stabler’s brain and spinal cord were donated to Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center to support research for degenerative brain diseases in athletes.

“He wanted to make a difference in the lives of others in both life and death.”

See the family’s full statement below:

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