RIP - Roman Gabriel

Roman Gabriel, quarterback for the Rams and Eagles in the 1960s and 1970s, passed away today April 20, 2024 at age 83.

In 1962, he was the first overall pick in the AFL draft by the Raiders, and the 2nd overall pick in the NFL draft by the Rams. 

 

From 1962 to 1965 he was a part-time starter, making 9 starts in 1963. 

 

Gabriel played every game from 1966-72, starting all of them except for 2 games in 1972. He made the Pro Bowl every season from 1967-69, and in 1969 was named first-team All-Pro. as well as the league's MVP. 

 

He was traded to the Eagles after the 1972 season for wide receiver Harold Jackson. Gabe played for the Eagles for 5 seasons, starting every game in 1973 and adding another Pro Bowl appearance, while leading the NFL with 3219 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes. 

 

Gabriel played in 11 games in each of  '74 and '75, starting most of them. In 1976 he lost the starting job to Mike Boryla, but played in 4 games (all starts). 

 

He backed up the newly-acquired Ron Jaworski in 1977, his final season.

 

CBS Sports obituary  

 

ESPN obituary 

  

RIP - Kent Kramer

Kent Kramer, an Eagles' tight end from 1971-74, passed away on February 21, 2024 at age 79.

Kramer was drafted by the 49ers in 1966. After a season on their bench, he joined the Saints and started 8 games in 1967. 

 

After missing the 1968 season, he played for the Vikings from 1969-70. The Vikings waived him during training camp in 1971, but he was signed by the Eagles the next day. 

 

He started 4 games in 1971, one of five tight ends used by the Eagles that season. Kramer started 8 games in 1972, and was 4th in receptions among the Eagles' receivers (behind Harold Jackson, Ben Hawkins, and Harold Carmichael). 

 

Kramer also played for the Eagles in '73 and '74, but with #1 draft pick Charle Young joining the team in 1973, Kramer had no starts and no receptions in his final 2 years with the Birds.  

 

New Orleans Saints obituary 

  

RIP - Norm Snead

Since the patsies in the Philadelphia Eagles' PR organization were able to cover the death of their former ticket office chief in less than 24 hours, but still have not recognized the passing of 7-year starting quarterback Norm Snead 4 days after his death, I'll do it here. 

 

Norm Snead, the Eagles' starting quarterback from 1964 to 1970, passed away on January 14, 2024 at age 84.

Snead was acquired from the Washington Redskins before the 1964 season for Sonny Jurgensen, and started 81 of 98 games during his 7-year stay in Philadelphia. (He also played in 4 other games.) 

 

He had 20 or more interceptions in 4 of his 7 seasons with the Eagles, leading the NFL in interceptions twice. 

 

After the 1970 season, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings for offensive tackle Steve Smith and 3 draft choices. He later played for the Giants (traded for Fran Tarkenton) and 49ers.

New York Times obituary