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In a different era, Stabler did things differently

In 2015, the slightest glitch can set social media ablaze. Last week, for example, a premature (but ultimately accurate) report from the Tuscaloosa News on the passing of quarterback Ken Stabler created a major online ruckus after its retraction.

In the aftermath of Stabler’s passing, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle shared a story about Stabler’s first year in Houston — a story that went untold for 35 years in 1980 but that wouldn’t have gone untold for 35 minutes in 2015.

As noted on Friday, the Oilers traded for Stabler that year in an effort to final bust through the Black and Gold ceiling that had kept Houston out of the Super Bowl for two straight seasons.