Biographie
Roman Gabriel, the renowned starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams in the late 1960s and early 1970s, first rose to prominence at North Carolina State. There, he was a two-time All-American quarterback and an academic All-American. Demonstrating exceptional athletic talent, he set nearly every passing record at NC State. On January 20, 1962, his jersey was retired and presented to him by North Carolina governor Terry Sanford. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989, 27 years later.
Born on August 5, 1940, in Wilmington, North Carolina, Roman Gabriel Jr. was the son of a Filipino immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 1925 and his Irish-American mother. In 1962, he was a first-round draft pick by both the NFL’s Rams (the second overall pick) and the Oakland Raiders in the rival American Football League (the first overall pick). The Rams signed him to a three-year, non-guaranteed contract worth $15,000. Gabriel went on to play 11 seasons with the Rams from 1962 to 1972. Standing 6'4" and weighing 235 pounds, he is considered the NFL’s first large quarterback.
In May 1966, the Oakland Raiders signed Gabriel for the 1967 season amid the AFL’s efforts to challenge the established NFL and force a merger. Gabriel was unhappy with how Rams coach Harland Svare used him, especially being passed over for starting roles. Ready to leave, he reconsidered after the Rams hired George Allen as coach. Under Allen’s leadership, Gabriel excelled as the starting quarterback. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 1967 and followed with Pro Bowl nods in 1968 and 1969. In 1969, he won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award and was also named MVP of the Pro Bowl.
During his tenure coaching the Rams, George Allen compiled a 49-17-4 record, the best in franchise history. However, owner Dan Reeves disliked Allen and fired him after the 1968 season. The firing was reversed following a player revolt, but Reeves eventually succeeded in dismissing Allen again after the 1970 season, despite a winning record. Reeves was battling cancer, and the team changed ownership twice in a short span. Gabriel’s performance declined over the next two years due to a torn tendon in his throwing arm. The NFL culture at the time labeled him a “psycho” and a slacker, expecting him to play through pain. (The 1979 novel and film North Dallas Forty revealed the harsh, exploitative mentality of NFL owners, many with alleged organized crime ties.) As a result, Gabriel’s statistics suffered. After the 1972 season, new general manager Don Klosterman acquired quarterback John Hadl from the San Diego Chargers.
Feeling insulted by the Rams’ acquisition of a new starting quarterback, Gabriel demanded a trade, which Klosterman granted. When he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, Gabriel was the Rams’ all-time passing leader with 22,223 yards and 154 touchdowns—records that still stand—as well as team records for pass attempts (3,313) and completions (1,705).
In 1973 with the Eagles, Gabriel led the league with 3,219 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, earning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award and a Pro Bowl selection. That year, he posted his career-best total yards and a 58.7% completion rate. During his time with Philadelphia from 1973 to 1977, he threw for 7,221 yards and 45 touchdowns.
By 1978, his playing career was nearly over, but George Allen, newly returned as Rams coach, wanted Gabriel as a third-string quarterback and quarterback coach. However, Klosterman and, to a lesser degree, owner Carroll Rosenbloom made it clear Gabriel was not welcome back, leading him to retire from playing. Gabriel remained involved in football, serving as offensive coordinator for the Boston Breakers and Arizona Wranglers in the short-lived USFL. His head coaching career was less successful, as he led the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks of the World League of American Football to a 0-10 record in their sole 1991-1992 season.
Blessed with a striking physique and dark good looks, Gabriel took advantage of living in the nation’s entertainment capital, pursuing a brief career in film and television. He made his TV debut as a “native” on Gilligan’s Island in 1964 and his film debut as a prison guard in Otto Preminger’s widely panned Skidoo (1968). The highlight of his acting career was portraying Blue Boy, the Native American adopted son of John Wayne’s character in the Western The Undefeated (1969). On set, Gabriel developed a close friendship with co-star Rock Hudson.
Roman Gabriel and his wife Lisa are deeply committed to charitable work in their North Carolina community. Together, they have raised $4 million for charity through their RG Sports Connection trust.
