Ken Stabler, a quarterback who rose to fame by leading the Oakland Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XI, died at the age of 69 on Wednesday, his family confirmed in a statement Thursday.
Stabler had been battling Stage 4 colon cancer since February, his family said.
"I was head coach of the Raiders the entire time Kenny was there and he led us to a whole bunch of victories including one in Super Bowl XI," former Raiders coach John Madden said in a statement. "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. When you think about the Raiders you think about Ken Stabler. Kenny loved life. It is a sad day for all Raiders."
Stabler finished his 15-season career with 27,938 passing yards and 194 touchdown passes after stints with the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints.
Stabler played two seasons with the Oilers in 1980-81. In 29 games, had a 61 percent completion percentage, passed for 5,190 yards and 27 touchdowns and 46 interceptions. He played all 16 games during the '81 season.
The 1974 NFL MVP and a four-time Pro Bowl selection, Stabler earned the nickname "The Snake" for his wild playing style and personality.
Distinctive among quarterbacks for being a left-handed thrower who sported shaggy hair, Stabler also was infamous for embracing the nightlife in Oakland and on the road. But he was a winner, with a 96-49-1 career mark, and led the team to seven playoff berths and signature wins like the "Sea of Hands" playoff victory against the Miami Dolphins after the 1974 season.
Stabler also was known for the "Ghost to the Post" play, a pass to tight end Dave Casper that was the defining moment of the Raiders' double-overtime win against the Baltimore Colts in a 1977 AFC divisional playoff game, and the "Holy Roller," in which the quarterback's forward fumble recovered by Casper gave Oakland a controversial win vs. the San Diego Chargers.
Stabler also starred at Alabama, where he led the 1966 team to an undefeated record and national title.
