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Kenny Stabler: Dead at 69

The poster child for having a good time, competing and winning with class and humor, and an inspiration to gambling gunslinging quarterbacks everywhere has passed away.

By Erik Evans
We'll miss you, Snake
We'll miss you, Snake

UPDATE: 6:04 P.M. CT

Per Channel 15 in Gulfport, MS, the President of the Stabler Foundation confirms that Kenny Stabler has passed away. The Raiders still maintain he is alive. Safe to to, however, that it's probably not good news for The Snake either way, if we're dealing with persistent rumors of his passing.

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BREAKING 5:31 P.M. CT: The Tuscaloosa News, which after confirming the passing of Kenny Stabler, is now backpedaling HARD, blaming everyone for using their report:

Preparing to report on an unconfirmed but wide and persistent rumor that former Alabama football player Kenny Stabler had died, tuscaloosanews.com inadvertently and briefly published an incomplete story that we were preparing in the event that the story was confirmed. At this time, it is not confirmed. Unfortunately, other news outlets used social media to share the report. We regret the error and any emotional distress caused to Stabler’s family, friends and fans.

The Run in The Mud
The "Run in the Mud", Iron Bowl 1967.

We'll have more on this later, but the Tuscaloosa News has just confirmed Kenny "the Snake" Stabler has passed away at age 69.

Our condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Alabama family. This one hurts, folks.

Alabama Football Legend Ken Stabler Has Died at 69

The Alabama football program, one that’s rich with tradition and full of superstars, has lost one of its most distinctive members. Ken Stabler passed away on Thursday at the age of 69. The Tuscaloosa News was the first to confirm the news.

UPDATE 8:09pm CT (CB969):

It has now been confirmed by the University of Alabama and the NFL that Stabler has passed away in Gulfport, Miss. as a result of complications associated with colon cancer.

UA confirms former Alabama, Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler dead at 69

He passed peacefully surrounded by the people he loved most, including his three daughters and longtime partner, as some of his favorite songs played in the background, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Sweet Home Alabama" and Van Morrison’s "Leaves Falling Down."

Roll Tide, Snake.

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