Roman Gabriel

NFL quarterback, four-time Pro Bowl player and first team All-Pro in 1969[9]

What is Roman Gabriel known for?

Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr., born on August 5, 1940, in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a notable American football player who made a significant impact on the sport. He is particularly known for being the first NFL quarterback of Filipino-American descent. Gabriel attended New Hanover High School in his hometown, demonstrating his athletic prowess despite his childhood asthma.

He later played as the quarterback at North Carolina State University from 1959 to 1961, where he had a stellar career, earning All-American honors twice and being named ACC Player of the Year in both 1960 and 1961. His impressive performance led to him being the second overall pick in the 1962 NFL Draft.

In the NFL, Gabriel played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1962 to 1972, before finishing his player career with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1977. He was known for his strong arm and effective leadership on the field. He threw 201 touchdowns, had a passer rating of 74.3, and completed 52.6% of his passes for a total of 29,444 yards. In addition, Gabriel rushed for 1,304 yards and scored 30 rushing touchdowns.

Gabriel's excellent performance earned him numerous recognitions, including being named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1969 and Comeback Player of the Year in 1973. He was a first-team All-Pro in 1969, a second-team All-Pro in 1967 and 1968, and played in the Pro Bowl four times (1967–1969, 1973). He was also recognized as the NFL passing yards leader in 1973 and led the league in passing touchdowns in 1969 and 1973.

After his playing career, Gabriel turned to coaching. He served as the head coach for the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos from 1980 to 1982 and the Boston Breakers in 1983. Later, he became the offensive coordinator for the Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks in 1991.

Gabriel's significant contributions to the sport are commemorated in his inclusion in the College Football Hall of Fame.

More about his career can be found at the following links:
NFL.com
Pro Football Reference