New York Giants Football Legend Frank Gifford Dies At 84

Frank GIfford, whose whirling legs and sportsman’s heart made him an NFL legend with the New York Giants and whose steady hand and dulcet voice steered Monday Night Football to the status of an American institution, died of natural causes Sunday at his home in Greenwich, CT, his family announced.

He was 84 and married to Kathie Lee Gifford, a host of NBC’s “Today” show.

Here is the statement released by the Gifford family:

“It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend Frank Gifford. Frank died 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 an amazing human being. We ask that our privacy be respected at this at this difficult time. We thank you for your prayers.”

• See Also: 5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Frank Gifford

Gifford was described by the New York Giants on Sunday as “one of the greatest Giants to ever wear the uniform,” having joined the team when football was decidedly behind baseball in sports consciousness. When he retired for the second and final time, he was one of the heroes of the NFL, a league whose rocket-like ascent would thrust it to become the most popular in the United States.

The 6-foot-1 Gifford began his NFL career in 1952 with the Giants by playing both offense and defense during an era in which players were beginning to specialize. He was their No. 1 draft choice, an all-American from the University of Southern California.

In 1956, he was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player as he paced the Giants to five Eastern Conference titles and one NFL championship. Six times he was named first- or second-team All-NFL. Then, in 1960, a severe head injury suffered in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles put him on the sidelines. He announced his retirement in 1961 but returned a year later.

He made eight Pro Bowl appearances and had five trips to the NFL Championship Game and was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1977. His Pro Bowl selections came at three different positions—defensive back, running back, and wide receiver. He retired again, this time for good, in 1964, after making the Pro Bowl as a receiver.

His status as popular-culture celebrity was evinced in the technically fictional book (and later, movie), “A Fan’s Notes,” in which he was worshipped for his football prowess by the troubled main character.

Starting in 1971, though, Gifford became celebrated more as a man than as a player. It was then that he began a second career announcing ABC’s Monday Night Football, playing the role of the even-tempered professor and serving as a buffer between his colleagues in the booth, the hyper-jovial “Dandy” Don Meredith and the often-acerbic Howard Cosell.

They were referred to by their first names as often as not, and each seemed to relish in his role. Dandy Don was the funny one and Howard thrived on hyperbole. Frank was the adult in the room, always.

That was a time when networks were television and programming had as much influence on the country as the country had on what would be shown on television. Whole families tuned in as much for the antics among the announcers as the play on the field, kids at home pleading with their parents to at least let them watch until the finish of the halftime highlights.

By the time Gifford left Monday Night, he had been the voice of football for two generations, including for many children who identify those years, and his voice, as their gateway to fandom.

The Giffords were familiar faces around Greenwich, patronizing local shops and restaurants, and frequently making appearances at local charity events.

For years, the Giffords were co-masters of ceremony for the annual Dana’s Angels Research Trust concert that benefits scientific research on treatments for Niemann-Pick Type C disease which causes a deficiency in the way cholesterol is metabolized. The Giffords were honored in May for the 10-year involvement with the organization.

In June, the Giffords participated in the inaugural Greenwich International Film Festival.

Last September, the couple attended the Greenwich Food + Wine Festival where fans couldn’t get enough of Kathie Lee Gifford’s GIFFT Wines.

The Giffords, who married in 1986, have a son, Cody, and a daughter, Cassidy. Frank Gifford also has three children from a previous marriage.

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued this statement Sunday:

“Frank Gifford was an icon of the game, both as a Hall of Fame player for the Giants and Hall of Fame broadcaster for CBS and ABC. Frank’s talent and charisma on the field and on the air were important elements in the growth and popularity of the modern NFL. He was a great friend to everyone in the league, a special advisor to NFL commissioners, and served NFL fans with enormous distinction for so many decades. We will always remember Frank’s contributions and miss his friendship. Our hearts go out to Kathie Lee and the entire Gifford family.”

“Deeply grateful to all for your outpouring of grace,” tweeted Kathie Lee Gifford.

Photos: Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford with a fan at the September 2014 Greenwich Food + Wine Festival. Credits: Barbara Heins.