Fansided

Someone might have messed up Ken Stabler death report

By Josh Hill

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; An Oakland Raiders helmet against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; An Oakland Raiders helmet against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Thursday, it was reported that legendary quarterback Ken Stabler had died at the age of 69 — a report that might have been a little too soon. 

Next: Did Adam Schefter Break The Law In Jason Pierre-Paul Report?

UPDATE [7:34pm ET] — Ken Stabler’s family has confirmed that the former Raiders and Crimson Tide quarterback has died at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer.

Ken Stabler is a legend in Alabama and folks around those parts have high regard for everything he did for Alabama during his run as quarterback int he late 60s. But someone at the Tuscaloosa News might have been a little jumpy when it came to reporting his death a little too soon.

On Thursday afternoon, reports began to surface that Ken Stabler had died at the age of 69. The source of the report was a posting by Tuscaloosa News — something that may have been a bit premature.

According to Tuscaloosa News, reports of Ken Stabler’s death were unconfirmed at the time of publishing and he might not actually be dead.

Almost immediately after outlets started picking up the story, Tuscaloosa News began backing off the story and issued a half-apology.

"Preparing to report on an unconfirmed but wide and persistent rumor that former Alabama football player Kenny Stabler had died, tuscaloosanews.com inadvertently and briefly published an incomplete story that we were preparing in the event that the story was confirmed. At this time, it is not confirmed. Unfortunately, other news outlets used social media to share the report. We regret the error and any emotional distress caused to Stabler’s family, friends and fans."

So — Ken Stabler might not be dead.

mybad
mybad /

This would be an awful error but one that would be welcomed by fans across football. Stabler is a legend in Alabama, the only franchise quarterback the Raiders have ever had and an upstanding gentleman away from the game.

Hopefully, this report is truly false, and the world hasn’t yet lost a legend like Stabler.

Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) | Twitter 2015-07-09 17-35-53
Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) | Twitter 2015-07-09 17-35-53 /

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