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UPDATE 6:28 PM CT: A University of Alabama spokesman confirmed to FOX6 WBRC that former Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler has passed away, confirming the earlier report from The Tuscaloosa News.

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UPDATE 5:19 PM CT: The Tuscaloosa News issued a statement following its initial report of the passing of former Alabama and Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler.

"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."

BamaOnLine will continue to monitor and update the story as it develops.

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Legendary Alabama and NFL quarterback Ken Stabler has passed away at the age of 69, according to the Tuscaloosa News.

Stabler was born Dec. 25, 1945 in Foley, Ala., giving his parents, Sally and Leroy "Slim" Stabler, a pleasant Christmas Day surprise. He grew up to be a multi-sport athlete at Foley High School, but it was football that Stabler excelled at the most. During his high school playing days, he earned the nickname "The Snake" for his ability to maneuver and weave through opposing defenses.

Stabler was recruited to Alabama by legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and enrolled at the university in 1964. Because of NCAA rules, players were not allowed to see the field as freshmen, so Stabler watched from the sideline as Joe Namath guided the Crimson Tide to a national championship. The following season, he split reps at quarterback with Steve Sloan, and together, they led the team to back-to-back national titles with a 39-28 victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

The following season, his junior year, Stabler helped Alabama to another 11-0 record and another win over Nebraska, this time a 34-7 victory in the Sugar Bowl. But the Crimson Tide finished third in the polls behind Notre Dame and Michigan State.

His senior season ended with an 8-2-1 record, but it also included one of the most iconic plays in Alabama history. During the Iron Bowl, Stabler pulled off a play that would later be called "The Run in the Mud." The Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers played in a rainstorm and on a muddy Legion Field, and trailing 3-0, Stabler scampered for a 47-yard to secure a 7-3 win.

Stabler finished his career at Alabama with a 28-3-2 record as a starter. He completed 180 of his 303 passes (59.4 percent) for 2,196 yards and 18 touchdowns and also rushed for 838 yards and nine scores on 265 attempts. As a senior in 1967, Stabler was named a permanent team captain, along with Bobby Johns and earned All-SEC and All-America honors.

The Crimson Tide quarterback was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft and was immediately surrounded by a wealth of talent at the wide receiver position. With help from Cliff Branch, Dave Casper, and Fred Biletnikoff, Stabler quarterbacked the Raiders to a 32-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI.

He was named the AFC Player of the Year in 1974 and 1976, and the Associate Press selected him as the NFL MVP in 1974. The Snake also won the Hickok Belt in 1976 as professional athlete of the year and earned four Pro Bowl nods.

Oakland traded Stabler to the Houston Oilers, where he played from 1980-81. He then finished his NFL career after three seasons with the New Orleans Saints. In 184 pro games, Stabler threw for 27,938 yards and 194 touchdowns.

Following his playing career, Stabler color commentator for CBS NFL broadcasts. He then moved to radio, where he worked alongside Eli Gold for 11 years as the color analyst for Alabama football games.

Below, check out a video of Stabler's famed "Run in the Mud" with a brief comment from Coach Bryant.

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