Gifford got his start in the football world, making a name for himself as a shifty running back at USC. He was an all-american in 1952, putting up stellar numbers the year before. In 1951 alone, he ran for 841 yards on 195 carries. People knew right then that Gifford was going to be a big star in the game. He began his NFL career with the New York Giants by playing both offense and defense. He made eight Pro Bowl appearances and had five trips to the NFL Championship Game. Gifford's biggest season may have been 1956, when he won the Most Valuable Player award of the NFL, and led the Giants to the NFL title over the Chicago Bears. During his 12 seasons with the New York Giants (136 regular season games) Frank Gifford had 3,609 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in 840 carries, he also had 367 receptions for 5,434 yards and 43 touchdowns. Gifford completed 29 of the 63 passes he threw for 823 yards and 14 touchdowns with 6 interceptions. The 6 interceptions is tied with Walter Payton for most interceptions thrown by a non-quarterback in NFL history, while the 14 touchdowns is also the most among any non-quarterback in NFL history. When Gifford finished his career, the numbers are staggering. All told, Gifford ran for 3,609 yards and 34 touchdowns, caught 367 passes for 5,434 yards and 43 touchdowns, and threw 14 touchdown passes on the halfback option (NY Times).
Gifford was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 30, 1977. Giffrod's three Pro Bowl selections came at three different positions: defensive back, running back, and wide receiver. Once his playing career came to an end, Gifford couldn't truly leave the game he loved, so he tried his hand at broadcasting. Gifford broadcasting career took off when he became a commentator mainly for NFL games on CBS. His big break came in 1971 when he replaced Keith Jackson as play-by-play announcer on ABC's Monday Night Football, joining Howard Cosell and Don Meredith, and would continue on as a commentator until 1997 (He was the last surviving member of the group. Cosell died in 1997 and Meredith passed in 2010). The three of them became the face of Monday Night Football, becoming must watch TV every week during football season. He was so good in the broadcast booth, Gifford was able to pull home some awards and honors for his broadcasting work. Gifford was a Two-time Emmy Award winner, winning Outstanding Sports Personality in 1977, and winning a Lifetime Achievement Award for broadcasting in 1997. Also, in 1995, Gifford won the Pete Rozelle Award for longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football.
As a player, Gifford was the personification of the Giants during their glory years in the 1950s and early ’60s, the best-known figure on teams that featured many other stars, including quarterbacks Charlie Conerly and Y. A. Tittle, linebacker Sam Huff, fullback Alex Webster, defensive back Emlen Tunnell, defensive linemen Andy Robustelli and Roosevelt Grier, and his fellow running back and receiver Kyle Rote. He was the face of the Ginats, as he bleed Blue form the time he was drafted until the day he died. Gifford always believed in the franchise he played for, never giving up on the Giants in his career.
As great a football player as he was, he was all that as a broadcaster, which is what most football fans of the younger generation remember him for. Some of his work in the broadcast booth will go down in history. He was able to bring the game to life, providing new insight to the world of football like few before him. Tuning into Monday Night Football during the late 80's and early 90's was enjoyable in part because of the men in the booth. Frank Gifford made it fun to watch Monday Night Football
Frank Gifford is survived by his wife, Kathie Lee Gifford, and children.
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