NFL Legend, Former NY Giant, Broadcaster and Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford Has Passed Away at Age 84, RIP

One of the original golden boys of the NFL has passed away … Remembering a legend of the game.

Former NY Giant player, broadcaster, Pro Football Hall of Famer and legend of the game, Frank Gifford, has died at the age of 84. Gifford played in an era when players were two way players and a game that was so rough and brutal that 95% of the players today could not withstand. Gifford played running back, receiver and defensive back for the New York Giants in his NFL career, which spanned from 1952-1964. Gifford sat out the 1961 season after a suffering a head injury from what many have said was the most brutal hit in NFL history (VIDEO) at the hands of the late Chuck Bednarik. Gifford returned in 1962 and won Comeback Player of the Year.

Frank Gifford, a Hall of Fame running back and receiver who personified the Giants’ glory years of the late 1950s and early ’60s and then became the low-key play-by-play voice of ABC’s “Monday Night Football,” teaming with the contentious Howard Cosell and the country-boy presence of Don Meredith in a broadcasting team that became must-see programming for much of America, died at his home in Connecticut on Sunday. He was 84.

After retiring from football, Gifford became a sports broadcaster, most notably as a play-by-play announcer and color commentator on Monday Night Football from 1971 to 1997 with Howard Cosell and Dandy Don Meredith. Sadly, all of the original members of the Monday Night Football broadcasting crew have now passed. Frank Gifford is survived by his wife, Kathie Lee Gifford, and children.

In a statement from his family:

It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Frank Gifford. Frank died suddenly this beautiful Sunday morning of natural causes at his Connecticut home. 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.

Frank Gifford, August 16, 1930 – August 9, 2015, Rest in Peace

NFL Legend Frank Gifford Passes Away at 84.

Born in Santa Monica in 1930, Gifford attended the University of Southern California on a football scholarship and went pro after being selected 11th overall in the first round of the 1952 draft.

Gifford played with the New York Giants his entire NFL career, from 1952 to 1964, with several visits to the Pro-Bowl. In 1956 he was league MVP and led the team to a championship (before it was called “The Super Bowl”).

The Giants used Gifford at running back, defensive back, wide receiver and on special teams. He went to the Pro Bowl at three different positions. His 5,434 yards receiving were a Giants record for 39 years, until Amani Toomer surpassed him in 2003. His jersey number, 16, was retired by the team in 2000.

After his playing career ended, he became a sports commentator, first for CBS and then as a co-host of Monday Night Football from 1971 to 1985.

The Original Monday Night Football crew has sadly now all passed away, right to left, Dandy Don Meredith, Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford.

Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch both released statements on Gifford’s passing.

“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 him terribly,” Mara said.

“Not only was Frank a member of the Giants family from the time he left USC, and will be forever, but because Frank, my father (Bob) and Pete Rozelle were so close in the ’60s, I felt like he was a member of my family. I always loved seeing Frank on our sideline before our games. He had the handshake of a 25-year old, and he looked you right in the eye with his big blue eyes. He was such a strong person in every way. He will be missed and will always be remembered as a Giants’ Giant,” Tisch said.

Frank Gifford was not only one of the legends who played the game but also took part in one of the more famous media events back in the day long before the immediacy of social media, Facebook and Twitter. John Lennon passed away as Monday Night Football was taking place, a game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. Frank Gifford and Howard Cossell learn about John Lennon’s death live on air and would announce to the world the death of John Lennon during of all things, a football game. Check out the VIDEO below where Frank Gifford becomes the voice of reason and talks Cossell into making the announcement. So with .03 seconds to go before a game winning field goal attempt, the announcement of John Lennon’s death came out over broadcast news via MNF.