New Avenue honors Kenny Stabler

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Posted 6/25/17

Kenny Stabler Avenue is now open. Foley’s newest road is named for local football legend Kenny Stabler, who began his career at Foley High, then played at the University of Alabama, before turning …

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New Avenue honors Kenny Stabler

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Kenny Stabler Avenue is now open. Foley’s newest road is named for local football legend Kenny Stabler, who began his career at Foley High, then played at the University of Alabama, before turning pro. City officials recently celebrated the opening with members of Kenny Stabler's family. The new street leads from Juniper Street into Foley’s new sports tourism complex.

Foley officials say they were proud to name the avenue leading into the city’s new state-of-the-art sports fields and event center in honor of Stabler. City officials agreed that it seemed a fitting memorial to name a street that will be used by so many athletes from all around the country after such a fine athlete from Foley.

Foley Mayor John Koniar recounted the highlights of Stabler’s career: “I was very pleased we were able to recognize one of Foley’s “favorite sons” with the dedication of Kenny Stabler Avenue.”

Stabler was a high school football star who led Foley to a 29-1 record during his high school career. He went on to the University of Alabama and played for the legendary Bear Bryant. As a junior in 1966, he led the team to an 11-0 season, which ended in a 34-7 rout of Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl. He finished his career at Alabama with a 28-3-2 record.

Stabler was drafted in the second round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. He was AFC player of the year in 1974 and 1976. Nicknamed “The Snake”, Stabler was a quarterback in the National Football League for the Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints.

In August of 2016, Stabler was inducted into the Pro football Hall of Fame. Sadly, he passed away with colon cancer prior to his induction. Stabler’s number 12 football jersey was retired at Foley High School in 2016.

Stabler served as chairman of the XOXO Stabler Foundation. Thanks to Stabler’s efforts, $600,000 was raised for The Ronald McDonald House of Mobile.

“Foley was blessed to have had him as part of our community,” said Koniar.

Kenny Stabler Avenue adds a second entrance from Juniper Street into Foley's Sports Tourism soccer fields and event center, as well as OWA's hotel and amusement park. This street is one of several that allows traffic to move efficiently in and out of the complex, where state-wide and regional tournaments involving thousands are already being held on the 16 sports fields. The event center is scheduled to open later this summer.