Who is Roman Gabriel ?
July 7, 2006 by James Edwards
Filed under Sports
Ok, Ted, you better be paying attention, because one of my biggest boyhood heroes was a Filipino. His name was Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr. and at 6′ 4″ tall, he was one big quarterback, back when players were a lot smaller. He weighed 235 pounds. He immigrated from the Philippines in 1925. 
Roman played from 1962 to 1977 for the L.A. Rams (that’s right, Los Angeles had a football team). When your humble writer was growing up, the west coast game came on around 6 o’clock and most of the time the Rams and Roman Gabriel were involved.
In 1969, he was the MVP of the league with 24 touchdown passes and only 7 interceptions. In 1973 he was the comeback player of the year. If you want his whole history, the Professional Football Research Association has a great writeup.
Who can forget, in a day and age when not a lot of passing took place, Roman Gabriel drifting back into the pocket to throw the long ball.
The Rams would line up for the play with their white uniforms signifying they were the home team. They wore blue helmets with the white Ram horns on the top sides, curling to the back. Number 18 would take the snap and the announcer would boom out “Roman Gabriel back to pass”.
After that, players would form a big pocket for Roman to sit back a pick out a receiver. If any player did get to him, he was hard to take down. In one four year span, from 1967 to 1970 they only lost 11 games and tied 4.
Special Note These were the L.A. Rams of Fearsome Foursome fame. They had Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Merlin Olson, and David Deacon Jones. Jones and Olson made the Hall of Fame. Roger Brown replaced Grier 1967. Then in 1968 they set a record for 14 games for fewest yards allowed.
Detroit Lion connection Roger Brown and punter Pat Studstill also played for my less than stellar Lions.
Shout outs A special shout out to Amie and Tony across the fence, 3 cool kids and a Spartan fan too. Does not get any better than that.
Cool names Ritchie Petitbon 4 time pro bowler, Maxie Baughan 9 time pro bowler.
Final note Oh, and Ted, just so you know, his mother was Irish.
Fan Question Who are some of your favorite old time players?
I remember when I was a kid, having his football card. Along with Jim Youngblood, one of the best in his day at defensive end.
As for one of my favorite old time players, how about a former Lion by the name of Leonard Thompson. Tought as nails, great reciever and a great gunner on the punt team.
Always great to hear from another Lions fan. Will continue to highlight the old timers from back in the day, so stay tuned.
Its good to know that there’s another Filipino out there that’s making the Philippines proud. I didn’t know that. :)