Roman Gabriel
Football
Inducted: 1971
- Born in Wilmington, NC, 1940
- College and pro football star, declining a baseball contract with New York Yankees.
- All-American quarterback at NC State, 1960–1961
- Led nation in passing percentage in 1959
- Passed for 2,951 yards
- Named ACC football Player of the Year in 1960 and 1961
- Earned McKelvin Award as ACC’s top athlete in 1961
- Second player picked in the 1961 NFL draft by Los Angeles Rams and played for Rams from 1961–1972
- Passed for at least 2,000 yards in 1966–1973
- Named NFL MVP in 1969
- Traded to Philadelphia Eagles in 1973
- Recovered from injuries, undergoing five knee operations, and named 1973 Comeback Player of the Year
- Led NFL with 3,219 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes in 1973
- Retired after 1977 season, finishing his NFL career with 29,444 career passing yards and completing 2,366 of 4,498 passes
- Played in four Pro Bowls
- Football coach, baseball administrator, broadcaster, and actor since retirement
- Member College Football Hall of Fame
