Legendary Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, the generative brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.

The New York Times first reported Stabler's posthumous diagnosis today, quoting researchers from Boston University.

"He had moderately severe disease," Dr. Ann McKee, chief of neuropathology at the V.A. Boston Healthcare System and a professor of neurology and pathology at Boston University School of Medicine told The New York Times. "Pretty classic. It may be surprising since he was a quarterback, but certainly the lesions were widespread, and they were quite severe, affecting many regions of the brain."

Stabler is the seventh former NFL to be diagnosed with CTE by Boston University, which has found the disease in 90 of 94 pro football players it has examined posthumously.

Stabler, who died in July after battling colon cancer, started at Foley High before playing at Alabama from 1964-67. He played in the pros from 1970-84, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes for 27,938 yards and winning Super Bowl XI with the Oakland Raiders.

At Alabama, Stabler's Run in the Mud to beat Auburn in 1967 remains one of the program's iconic plays. His maverick style made him a fan favorite at Alabama, in the pros and in retirement.

On Saturday, this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be unveiled, and Stabler is a finalist.

READ THE COMPLETE REPORT FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES