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Hall of Famer Frank Gifford passes away at 84

By Patrick Schmidt

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Former USC Trojans and New York Giants running back Frank Gifford has passed away at the age of 84.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford has died of natural causes at the age of 84. He was one week shy of his 85th birthday.

“It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Frank Gifford,” the Gifford family said in a statement, via NBC News. “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.”

Gifford was an All-American at USC when he ran for 841 yards before leaving for the NFL when he was the No. 11 overall pick in the 1052 draft. He played with the Giants from 1952-1964 and was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a six-time All-Pro. His finest season came in 1956 when he was named the league’s MVP and helped guide the Giants to the NFL title over the Chicago Bears.

Gifford is in the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame and ended his career with 3,609 rushing yards and 5,434 receiving yards and 77 touchdowns.

After his playing career ended he embarked on a broadcasting career where he was arguably even more successful than he was as a player when he was part of the Monday Night Football teams, beginning with Howard Cosell and and Don Meredith in 1971. He remained in the booth until 1998.

We’d like to offer up our deepest condolences to the Gifford family, his friends, former teammates and broadcasting colleagues.

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