Kenneth Michael `` Ken '' Stabler ( December 25 , 1945 -- July 8 , 2015 ) , nicknamed `` The Snake '' , was an American football quarterback in the National Football League ( NFL ) for the Oakland Raiders ( 1970 -- 1979 ) , Houston Oilers ( 1980 -- 1981 ) and New Orleans Saints ( 1982 -- 1984 ) .
Kenneth Michael `` Ken '' Stabler ( December 25 , 1945 -- July 8 , 2015 ) , nicknamed `` The Snake , '' was an American football quarterback in the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played for the Oakland Raiders ( 1970 -- 1979 ) , Houston Oilers ( 1980 -- 1981 ) and New Orleans Saints ( 1982 -- 1984 ) .