GAME PLAN

Let's get started. I'm a die-hard Rams fan. I had season tickets both at the Coliseum and Anaheim Stadium for many years. And even photographed several games from the sidelines over the final two seasons before they moved. This blog was created after reading a newspaper column by Bill Plaschke in the Los Angeles Times Sports section (read it here) about the lack of identity for former L.A. Rams players. I decided to see how many Rams fans still have an appreciation for what the Rams meant to L.A. If you're a real fan, you've got stories to tell and opinions to share. Even if you're bitter about losing our team to St. Louis, air it out right here.

December 16, 2008

ROMAN GABRIEL


My first sports idol as a young fan was Roman Gabriel. He was a big, tough quarterback for the Rams from 1962 until 1972. I remember his MVP year of 1969 when he led the Rams to an 11-0 start, and into the playoffs against the Vikings. They played at old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, MN and it was an icy cold December day. The Rams played a good, solid game and after the Vikings sacked Gabriel for a safety and a 23-20 lead, the Rams began to march down the field in the final few minutes. But the Viking defense tipped a pass and intercepted, then ran out the clock to seal the victory. I vividly remember a black & white L.A. Times photograph of Gabriel walking off the field after the game, his head down as the snow fell around him. The caption read, "The Fall of Roman's Empire". To this day, I hate the Vikings!
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1 comment:

Vintage Football Card Gallery said...

Hi, I'm enjoying your blog--keep the memories of the old players coming! I'd like to see that photo of Gabriel in the snow, but a quick search didn't turn it up.

January 10, 2009 at 3:48 PM

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