Roman Gabriel shattered barriers and rewrote the record books as a pioneering force on the professional gridiron.
Football Bio
August 5, 1940 – Roman Gabriel was a quarterback from North Carolina State who, in 1989, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, according to the National Football Foundation.
He landed in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams, where he played for 11 years before moving on to Philadelphia to play for the Eagles for another five seasons.
He was the first Filipino-American in the NFL to play quarterback.
Roman Gabriel leaves an enduring legacy as a trailblazer who transformed the quarterback position. His powerful arm, remarkable resilience, and historic milestones continue to inspire generations of football fans and players alike.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- NFL Most Valuable Player: 1969
- NFL Comeback Player of the Year: 1973
- 4× Pro Bowl Selection: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1973
- First-Team All-Pro: 1969
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1989
- 2× First-Team All-American: 1960, 1961
- 2× ACC Player of the Year: 1960, 1961
- NFL Passing Leader: Led the league in passing yards (1973) and passing touchdowns (1969, 1973).
- Retired Number: His #18 jersey was the first number retired by NC State in any sport.
