DeBartolo, Stabler Elected To Pro Football Hall Of Fame
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr., who guided his team to five Super Bowl victories, and the late Oakland Raiders great quarterback Kenny Stabler were elected Saturday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Other members of the Class of 2016 are coach Tony Dungy, quarterback Brett Favre, linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, tackle Orlando Pace and guard Dick Stanfel.
Former 49ers All-Pro wide receiver Terrell Owen tweeted out Saturday night that he did not win election into the hall in his first year of eligibility.
Unfortunately I did not make it. CONGRATS to the 2016 HOF CLASS. Thanks to ALL MY FANS for ur unwavering love & support. #ONLYGODCANJUDGEME
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) February 7, 2016
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DeBartolo took ownership of the then struggling 49ers in 1977. Under his leadership the franchise quickly evolved into one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, winning 5 Super Bowls in less than a decade.
He was forced by the league to relinquish control of the team to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, and her husband, John York in 2000 because of some legal issues. The couple's son Jed is the team's current CEO.
"On behalf of my family, the San Francisco 49ers organization and our Faithful fans around the world, I would like to congratulate my uncle, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., on his selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said Jed York.
"There could be no more appropriate setting for this honor to be bestowed on him than during the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl in the region to which he delivered five Lombardi Trophies. Uncle Eddie's impact on the game of football runs much, much deeper than simply the championships won by this franchise. He is the best owner in the history of the NFL because of the culture he created and how it still impacts the game to this day."
Stabler played 15 NFL seasons from 1970-84 for the Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. Over his career, Stabler played in 184 games with 146 starts, throwing for 27,938 yards on 2,270-of-3,793 passing (59.8 percent), 194 touchdown passes and 222 interceptions. In 13 career postseason games (12 starts), he threw for 2,641 yards on 203-of-351 passing (57.8 percent), 19 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions, including a 7-5 record as a starter.
Originally selected by the Raiders in the second round (52nd overall) of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft, Stabler played 10 seasons for the team from 1970-79. Stabler is the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards (19,078), attempts (2,481) and touchdown passes (150).
"Everybody knows that "Snake" should have been in 15 years ago, but it does not matter how long it takes once you get in the Hall of Fame," said Former Raiders cornerback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Willie Brown. "He was one of the biggest leaders on the football team, always looking out for everyone, and always ready to play."
Former Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch also believes the honor is long overdue.
"His play calling, he was a chess player," Branch said. "He used to call his own plays because back in those days we didn't have an offensive coordinator, so I think that is what made him so successful. When Kenny got drafted by the Oakland Raiders, he was also drafted in Major League Baseball as a pitcher. He could locate his throws so well that it didn't matter if you were covered, just like a pitcher painting the corners on the plate."
