Side by side: If Namath’s in Canton, why not Stabler?
The passing last week of former Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler prompted curiosity about the numbers put up by the ‘Snake’ during his 15-year career. Many believe the left-hander should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His statistics, compared with 1985 enshrinee Joe Namath’s, support that belief.
Stabler Namath | ||
96-49-1 | Record | 62-63-4 |
7-5 | Playoff rec. | 2-1 |
2,270 | Comp. | 1,886 |
3,793 | Att. | 3,762 |
27,938 | Yards | 27,663 |
59.8 | Comp. pct. | 50.1 |
194 | TDs | 173 |
222 | Int. | 220 |
15 | Seasons | 13 |
3 | Teams | 2 |
4 | Pro Bowls | 5 |
Left | Threw | Right |
Steelers | Nemesis | Knees |
1Super Bowl wins1 | ||
Source:
pro-football-reference.com
Nicknames
Namath was known as “Broadway Joe” because he played for the New York Jets. Stabler was known as “The Snake” since making a long, winding run in high school.
Wearables
Namath wore white shoes when the rest of the NFL wore black. Stabler once sported a smiley face sticker on his helmet.
Intangibles
Namath loved the night life in New York and led a rock star’s life with the Jets. Stabler famously said there was nothing wrong with reading the playbook by the light of a jukebox.
College
Namath and Stabler both played three seasons at Alabama, spanning 1962 through 1967.
Signature moments
Namath led the Jets to a Super Bowl III win over the Colts in possibly the biggest upset in sports history. Stabler was part of three unforgettable NFL plays: the “Sea of Hands,” “Ghost to the Post” and “Holy Roller.” And if not for the “Immaculate Reception,” his 30-yard touchdown run would have given the Raiders a win over the Steelers in a 1972 AFC playoff game.
Jeff Caraska
This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Side by side: If Namath’s in Canton, why not Stabler?."