The Philadelphia Eagles acquired the subject player from the Los Angeles Rams after the 1972 season. Roman Gabriel had a fantastic season in 1973; he was the NFL's leading passer on a 5-8-1 team. He tailed off in 1974 and Coach Mike McCormick replaced him with Mike Boryla for the last three games. Since these games were victories, Boryla was the starting quarterback in 1975. Mike floundered and McCormick rotated the two the rest of the year. The Philadelphia Eagles dropped to 4-10 in 1975 matched against 7-7 the previous year.
On came Dick Vermeil in 1976 and Mike Boryla was the starting quarterback again. During a losing streak in November, Vermeil benched Boryla in favor of Gabriel. This set the stage for the final game of the 76 season at Veterans Stadium. After a 3-5 start, the Eagles had lost five consecutive games. The Eagles scored only 31 points in that awful streak. Compared to the 3-10 , the expansion team Seattle Seahawks were 2-11.
Right from the start the Eagles ground game clicked behind good blocking. Tom Sullivan carried 23 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Hogan carried 19 times for 104 yards. I could not remember the Eagles ever having two backs both gain over 100 yards in one game. With the ground game going, Roman Gabriel had all day to pass. He completed 10 of 13 for 121 yards. No touchdowns; however a 34 yard pass to Charlie Smith went to the Seahawks two. John Walton relieved Gabriel late in the game and threw seven passes.
It was good day for Roman Gabriel, his last such as a player. Final Philadelphia 27 Seattle 3 Philadelphia acquired Ron Jaworski the next year. Gabriel threw only three passes and retired.