NFL fans mourn the loss of Roman Gabriel, a pioneering figure in the league and the first Filipino-American quarterback. Gabriel, who played for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday at the age of 83.

The news of Gabriel's passing was announced by his son, Roman Gabriel III, on social media. He revealed that his father died of natural causes and had been residing between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Little River, South Carolina.

Roman Gabriel made history as the No. 2 draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1962. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Gabriel possessed a remarkable size and arm strength for a quarterback in that era. His physical prowess allowed him to hold the Rams' team record with 154 touchdown passes, a record that still stands today.

Gabriel's impressive collegiate career at North Carolina State earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Known for his dominant performances in the Atlantic Coast Conference, he was named the conference's player of the year twice. His talents caught the attention of the NFL, and he was selected as the No. 2 overall draft pick by the Rams, while also being chosen by the Oakland Raiders of the AFL as the No. 1 pick.

After a few years of waiting for his opportunity, Gabriel's career took off in 1966 when George Allen became the Rams' head coach. From 1967 to 1970, Gabriel led the Rams to an impressive 41-14-4 record, including two division titles. Despite their successes, the team never made it to a playoff game during that period. Gabriel's standout performance in 1969, where he was named the league's Most Valuable Player after throwing for 2,549 yards, 24 touchdown passes, and adding five rushing scores, solidified his place among the NFL's elite.

However, following Allen's departure in 1970, Gabriel was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973 after the Rams acquired John Hadl. He quickly made an impact, earning the NFL's comeback player of the year award as he led the league with 23 touchdown passes and 3,219 passing yards, rejuvenating the Eagles' offense.

Beyond his playing career, Gabriel briefly worked for CBS as a commentator, providing expert analysis during NFL games. His contributions to the sport extended beyond the field, serving as a mentor and inspiration to his teammates and later generations of quarterbacks.

The NFL community expressed their condolences for the loss of a true football pioneer. Ron Jaworski, who Gabriel backed up during his final season with the Eagles, shared his gratitude for Gabriel's mentorship and described him as an amazing player and a better man.

Roman Gabriel leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a trailblazing Filipino-American quarterback and an influential figure in the NFL. He will be remembered for his immense talent, his record-breaking achievements, and his impact on the game. The NFL and its fans will forever honor Gabriel's contributions to the sport.