Oakland

Ken Stabler
 (Authentic Reproduction)
 

Ken Stabler's greatest skill may have been his ability to lead. Most great leaders have charisma and Ken was no exception. Never considered the coaches pet like many other quarterbacks Ken was always "one of the boys." His credo was "play hard, live fast and throw deep." He had the ability to remain calm regardless of the game situation. Raiders coach John Madden used to say that at a crucial point in the game he would call time out and have Stabler come to the sidelines to calm the old coach down rather than vice versa. Seemingly a carefree spirit with an "I'd rather be fishing" attitude Ken would dial in and deliver when the game was on the line. Ken acquired his "Snake" nickname in high school from his coach after he zig zagged back and forth in route to a 60 yard punt return for a touchdown.

This helmet is an accurate reproduction of the one Ken wore in the late 1970s including the Raiders Super Bowl victory over the Vikings in 1977. This helmet is a Wilson model 2101 and it was introduced in the late 1970s. It was Wilson's final new model introduction prior to leaving the helmet business, due to excessive insurance costs, in the mid 1980s. The face mask was originally a Dungard (linebacker style) stainless steel "Supermask" that was customized for Ken by cutting out the vertical nose bar. Stabler started using this mask because it stuck out further than the conventional Schutt mask and thus better protected a jaw injury he had received while wearing the Schutt mask.

Ken wore the classic Riddell "RK" suspension helmet prior to switching to this Wilson model. When asked why Ken switched to the Wilson helmet Raider equipment manager Dick Romanski gave a simple answer that made perfect sense to those who knew Ken -- "because they (Wilson) offered him money to wear it." There is no doubt that most of that endorsement money was used to keep his and fellow Raider's thirst well quenched while away at their infamous Santa Rosa training camp.