Stabler’s longtime agent “elated” quarterback elected to HOF

Published 11:23 pm Monday, February 8, 2016

Kenny Stabler’s longtime agent Henry Pitts has always made a case that that his client deserved to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Pitts won’t have to make the argument anymore.

Stabler was one of eight players selected to the hall of fame’s 2016 class on Sunday. The quarterback will be joined by wide receiver Marvin Harrison, quarterback Brett Favre, linebacker Kevin Greene, offensive tackle Orlando Pace, offensive guard Dick Stanfel, former San Francisco 49ers owners Edward DeBartolo Jr. and coach Tony Dungy.

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“I was elated Kenny finally got elected to the hall of fame,” Pitts said. “As I’ve said many times before I think he was very deserving and he was certainly deserving at an earlier age than when he finally got in, but I’m elated that he did get in.”

Pitts started representing Stabler after he’d been selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 1968 NFL Draft. By that time, Stabler had already become a star in Alabama after leading the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season in 1966.

Once in the NFL, “The Snake,” as Stabler was nicknamed, quickly became one of the NFL’s biggest stars.

He was the 1974 NFL MVP, led the NFL in touchdown passes twice and guided Oakland to a Super Bowl win over the Minnesota Vikings in 1977. He retired in 1984.

“You can look at his stats and compare them to anybody — Joe Namath. Terry Bradshaw — and his stats are up there right if not better than any of those stats that they had,” Pitts said.

Stabler finished his career with 194 passing touchdowns and he threw for 27,938 yards. After retiring, he served as color analyst for Alabama football games on the radio until 2008.

Last July, Stabler died in Gulfport, Mississippi at the age of 69.

“I’m sure Kenny would’ve been elated to know he’s finally in the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Pitts said.

The class of 2016 will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 6.

Pitts said since August is still several months away, he’s not sure if he’ll be able to make a trip for the induction ceremony.

“August is a good ways away so I haven’t made any firm plans yet, although I would probably like to attend,” Pitts said.