mybama.com: Alabama Crimson Tide Headlines - Football - Basketball - Baseball - Roll Tide!
All you need to know about Bama sports - When you need to know it!        

 


 

 

The University of Alabama Football and Crimson Tide Sports Source
March 28, 2024    
July 10, 2015

Memories of Kenny Stabler

My fondest memory of Kenny Stabler as an Alabama player was the 1967 Alabama-Auburn game in the rain and mud in Birmingham. In that game Stabler ran for the game winning touchdown. It’s one of those plays that will forever live in Alabama lore.

I can’t remember exactly, but I’m almost positive that game was not on TV. I suspect I was somewhere in the trailer park in which I lived listening to John Forney, the voice of the Crimson Tide, call the game. It was the first time the game was at night and it poured in Birmingham as it can in the late fall.

  Alabama offense was just plain awful that day managing but one first down in that half. The Alabama defense saved the Tide’s bacon. Auburn had three chances inside the Alabama ten yard line and each time they came up empty, missing a field goal and turning over on downs twice.

  Alabama opened the second half with a three and out. The Tide's punt covered 16 yards setting Auburn up on the Bama 40. Auburn drove deep into Alabama territory and kicked a field goal. The rest of the third quarter belonged to the Alabama defense. The Tide fumbled deep in their own territory and after bogging down, Auburn Coach Shug Jordon elected to try a field goal. Auburn’s holder dropped the ball and the Tide again took over on downs. On the last play of the third quarters, after Alabama made their second first down of the game Stabler threw an interception giving the Tigers back the ball. Auburn drove to the Alabama 27 and then completed a pass to the Alabama 15. Auburn was off sides so the ball came back. On fourth down, Auburn sent in the punting unit but a bad snap gave Alabama the ball on their own 46. That set up Kenny Stabler’s “Run in the Mud,.”

  Alabama which had tried passing all day ran the ball. Two plays got them to the Auburn 47. At this point everybody at my house was just hoping Alabama could get the ball into field goal position to try and tie the game. On third and three, Stabler went under center. An option had been called and Stabler had Tommy Wade behind him. Stabler went left looked for Wade and pulled down the ball and just kept running 47 yards to the end zone. John Forney went crazy yelling “He scores! Kenny Stabler takes it in!” We all went crazy. There was no way Auburn was coming back from that. They had Alabama beat they knew it and then this.

  If Kenny Stabler never played another football game in his life his status as an Alabama legend was cemented that day. That play will always be remembered by Alabama fans―well as the freaking miracle that it was, proving that either Bear could walk on water or that somehow there was divine intervention. Honestly, looking back from all the years it was a great play and the Tide was really lucky. Which brings up the old football adage “Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.” I remember all my Auburn friends saying there was holding during the run. Maybe, probably, but it wasn’t called so it didn’t happen.

  I watched Stabler play pro football. His days with the Raiders were fabulous. The Raiders played memorable games against the Pittsburg Steelers, the only team I hated more than the Dallas Cowboys. Too many times the Steelers came out on top but Stabler’s Raiders beat them once and they won the Super Bowl. Stabler was an Alabama legend and he embodied the Raider spirit in the 1970s. He was always fun to watch and he never gave up until the final whistle. No one could ask more than that. Rest in peace Snake.

Fox


 

©2024 www.mybama.com · editor@mybama.com · webmaster@mybama.com · Privacy Policy

 

This website is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by The University of Alabama. The University has not provided any content appearing on this website and is not responsible for any such content. Mybama.com operates this site independently, and is solely responsible for its content.


Partner of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties.