Frank Gifford 1930-2015
The NFL star, Hall of Famer, and "Monday Night Football" broadcaster Frank Gifford died on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, his family announced. He was 84.
Left: Tailback Frank Gifford of the University of Southern California.
USC
Growing up in Depression-era California, Frank Newton Gifford's family moved often (his father was an itinerant oil worker), and were frequently impoverished.
After graduating from Bakersfield High School, he played both offensive and defensive positions for the USC Trojans.
USC
Frank Gifford, #16, of USC is pictured in action making a 22-yard end run against California, Oct. 20, 1951, in San Francisco.
Gifford was an All-American at USC, where he played both halfback and quarterback positions.
Hall of Famer
A first-round draft pick in the 1952 NFL Draft, Gifford played with the New York Giants for 12 seasons, and was an eight-time Pro Bowler. A successful offensive and defensive player, Gifford was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1956, leading the Giants to the league championship.
He was almost sidelined for good by a head injury during a 1960 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and announced his retirement in 1961. But he returned to the field the following year, switching position from halfback to flanker, and played for three more seasons.
Back On The Field
Halfback Frank Gifford cocks his passing arm as he stands in front of a photo mural of the Polo Grounds, at the offices of the New York Giants in New York's Coliseum, April 2, 1962. Ending a one-year retirement following a head injury, Gifford announced he would go back on the active list, and ended up playing three more seasons.
"Monday Night Football"
Following his days on the field, Frank Gifford went on to a successful career as a broadcaster, including as a play-by-play announcer for Giants games for CBS Sports in the 1960s. Most notably, Gifford was in the booth for ABC's "Monday Night Football," where he provided play-by-play and analysis between 1971 and 1989.
Gifford also hosted "Wide World of Sports," and covered several Olympics.
"Monday Night Football"
Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell and O.J. Simpson inside the broadcast booth before a "Monday Night Football" matchup between the 49ers and the Vikings at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, September 8, 1983.
"Monday Night Football"
Joe Namath (left), Roone Arledge, president of ABC News and ABC Sports (center), and broadcaster Frank Gifford pose at a news conference at the 21 Club in Manhattan on Tuesday, July 9, 1985. Arledge announced that Namath would join the broadcasting team of "Monday Night Football."
"Monday Night Football"
ABC commentator Frank Gifford signs an autograph for a young fan before a "Monday Night Football" game in Houston in 1980.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The five new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame pose after their induction ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday, July 30, 1977. From left: Forrest Gregg, Frank Gifford, Gale Sayers, Bart Starr and Bill Willis.
Frank Gifford & Kathy Lee Johnson
ABC sports commentator Frank Gifford poses with his fiancee, talk show host Kathy Lee Johnson, during a taping of ABC's "Good Morning America" in New York City on Aug. 18, 1986. They met in 1982 when they were substitute co-hosts for "GMA," and married in 1986.
On The Field
ABC Sports analyst and Hall of Famer Frank Gifford looks on before Super Bowl XXV at Tampa, Florida on January 27, 1991.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Wellington Mara, owner of the New York Giants (left), smiles alongside his Pro Football Hall of Fame bronze bust, joined by his presenter, former New York Giants player Frank Gifford, after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, July 26, 1997, in Canton, Ohio.
Gifford Family
Kathie Lee Gifford, Frank Gifford, and their children, Cody and Cassidy, arrive at the opening night of Kathie Lee's new musical, "Under The Bridge," at The Zipper Theatre January 6, 2005 in New York City.
IRTS Gold Medal Award
Former NFL player and broadcaster Frank Gifford poses on the red carpet at the IRTS Gold Medal Award Gala. The award was presented to the National Football League on September 18, 2008 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
Kathie Lee Gifford & Frank Gifford
Actress and "Today" show host Kathie Lee Gifford and sports legend Frank Gifford attend the American Theatre Wing's 2009 Spring Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on June 1, 2009 in New York City.
Handprints
TV commentator Frank Gifford makes his hand prints in cement at the 2008 Disney Legends Ceremony, at the Walt Disney Studios on October 13, 2008 in Burbank, California.
Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame
Frank Gifford attends the 19th annual Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame Awards at the Waldorf-Astoria on October 20, 2009 in New York City.
In a statement released by NBC News on Aug. 9, 2015, Gifford's family said the Hall of Famer died suddenly of natural causes at his Connecticut home that morning.
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