For my siblings and me, Frank was like a revered older brother whom we looked up to and admired.
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“I did something really stupid, and we’ve paid an enormous price”, he said in 2000, according to People magazine. In 1995, Gifford received separate recognition from the Hall of Fame for his work in TV.
With his playing days behind him, Gifford hung up the cleats and picked up the microphone as a broadcaster.
The Santa Monica native stayed close to home after high school and was an All-American at Southern Cal. He played quarterback, halfback and fullback for the Trojans while also serving as the team’s punter and place kicker. Perhaps the most impressive of all his accomplishments was Gifford’s versatility as a football player, as he earned trips to the Pro-Bowl at three different positions (running back, wide-receiver, defensive back). In 1956, he was named league MVP and led the Giants to an NFL championship.
A crushing hit by 233-pound Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik in November 1960 flattened Gifford and likely shortened his football career. He was part of the broadcast booth of “Monday Night Football” from 1971, the show’s second season, to 1997.
After his on-field career, Gifford had a successful career as an NFL commentator, as a play-by-play announcer for ABC’s Monday Night Football.
On Hall of Fame weekend, the Giants lost a surviving member of the gold-jacket club.
FILE – In this March 25, 2010 file photo, Kathie Lee Gifford and Frank Gifford arrive at the opening …
Gifford was married to his college sweetheart Maxine Ewart for 26 years and to fitness trainer Astrid Lindley from 1978 to 1986. They met on the set of ABC’s Good Morning America. Rest in peace Mr. Gifford. I can still see Bendarik standing over a fallen Gifford with a fist balled up for a celebratory gesture. “But that’s her”. Kathie Lee left “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” years ago to be with Frank and raise their kids.
“Frank is my husband, my confidant, lover, therapist, parenting partner and best friend”.
The rosy picture was shattered in 1997 by news that Gifford was having an affair.
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The TODAY family shared their condolences on social media. His No. 16 uniform was retired by the team in 2000.
