Frank Gifford, Former New York Giants Great, Passes Away At 84
The New York Giants family lost a good one today, as Hall of Famer Frank Gifford died at 84 years of age because of natural causes. Gifford led the Giants to a league championship back in 1956 and parlayed his successful playing career into a successful stint in the booth on Monday Night Football. He teamed up with Dan Meredith and Howard Cosell.
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Gifford had a very successful run in the booth, as he holds the record of 411 announced games on Monday Night Football. He also hosted ABC’s Wide World Of Sports and covered several Olympic games. Many consider the call he had of Franz Klammer’s run at the Innsbruck Olympics in 1976 a broadcasting masterpiece.
During his playing days, Gifford was one of the versatile players and a star on both sides of the ball. He played exceptionally well on both offense and defense, playing running back, wide receiver, defensive back and on special teams to boot for the Giants. He was named to the Pro Bowl at three different positions, something unheard of for football fans today.
He was also named MVP in 1956, the same season that he led the Giants to their fourth championship in franchise history. It was a well deserved MVP award, as Gifford ran for 819 yards and five touchdowns on 159 attempts to go with 51 receptions for 603 yards and four touchdowns. The 1,422 yards from scrimmage led the league that season.
His versatility is rivaled by very few players in the history of the NFL, as Gifford is one of only six players to have 30 receiving and 30 rushing touchdowns in his career. The other five players are Brian Westbrook, Marshall Faulk, James Brooks, John David Crow and Lenny Moore.
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Gifford is someone that will be greatly missed. In a statement from his family, they said, “We rejoice in the extraordinary life he was privileged to live, and we feel grateful and blessed to have been loved by such an amazing human being. We ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time and we thank you for your prayers.”
Giants’ team President John Mara also had kind words regarding Gifford, saying, “Frank Gifford was the ultimate Giant. He was the face of our franchise for so many years. More importantly, he was a treasured member of our family. My father loved him like a son and was proud to act as his presenter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a favor Frank returned years later by presenting my father in Canton. For my siblings and me, Frank was like a revered older brother whom we looked up to and admired. We loved him and will miss tim terribly.”
Giants’ chairman Steve Tisch added, in a statement, that Gifford “will always be remembered as a Giants’ Giant.”
Gifford will be someone all Giants fans remember for both his play on the field then his performance in the booth after his playing career. Our thoughts and well wishes are with his friends and family in this most difficult time.
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