NFL Hall of Famer Frank Gifford, who also had a long career in sports broadcasting, died suddenly today of natural causes at his home in Connecticut, according to a statement from his family. He was 84, just a week shy of what would have been his 85th birthday.
Frank Newton Gifford was born on August 16, 1930 in Santa Monica, California. He attended USC on a football scholarship, before being drafted by the New York Giants, with whom he broke into the NFL in 1952. He played defensive back, running back, wide receiver and occasionally kicker during his career, winning the league's MVP award in 1956. While playing against the Eagles in 1960, Gifford was knocked out by a hit from linebacker Chuck Bednarik. He spent 10 days in the hospital and did not play again until 1962. He quit playing for good after the 1964 season.
Gifford worked as a football broadcaster for CBS before joining ABC's Monday Night Football. At various times, he broadcast the Olympics and several motorcycle jumps by Evel Knievel. He also acted in a number of films.
Gifford was married to the former Kathie Lee Epstein, a well-known TV personality. It was the second marriage for both. He had two children with her, and three others with his first wife, Maxine Avis Ewart.
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