American football player and television sportscaster, Francis Newton "Frank" Gifford, died yesterday at the age of 84, just 7 days away from his 85th birthday.
Kathie Lee Gifford announced the news of the passing of his husband Frank Gifford. A statement released through NBC's "Today" show, Mrs. Gifford her feelings saying that;
"It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Frank Gifford. 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."
It can be remembered that Gifford began his National Football League (NFL) career with the New York Giants by playing both offense and defense. One of the many highlights in his career was during his best season in 1956, where Gifford led the league with 1,422 yards fighting his way to MVP honors and helping his New York Giants team bring home the NFL championship battling against Chicago Bears.
It was just 13 years after his career with the Giants ended, that Gifford was inducted into the Pro Football League Hall of Fame. And this Hall of Famer never stopped his support for the league even during his retired days. As a testament to that, he continued to advance the popularity of his sport, football, as one of the members of the Monday Night Football, a live television broadcast of NFL games.
In a statement published in usatoday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell attests to the efforts of Gifford saying that;
"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."
