Frank Gifford's Career

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Gifford won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award from United Press International (UPI) in 1956, the same season his team won the NFL Championship. During his career, he participated in five league championship games and was named to eight Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. After retiring as a player Gifford was an Emmy Award-winning sportscaster, known for his work on ABC's Monday Night Football, Wide World of Sports, and the Olympics. He was married to television host Kathie Lee Gifford from 1986 until his death.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Frank Gifford’s broadcasting career is anchored in the launch of ABC's Monday Night Football. Although ABC originally planned to hire him for the show in 1970, he was still under contract with CBS and instead recommended his friend Don Meredith. The following year, Gifford replaced Keith Jackson as the play-by-play announcer, a role he held for 27 of the show's next 28 years. His low-key delivery perfectly balanced the sharp wit of Howard Cosell and the charm of Meredith, helping the series become television's longest-running prime-time sports program. One of his most famous moments occurred in the waning seconds of a 1980 game between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. When Gifford and Cosell learned of John Lennon’s murder, Cosell hesitated to break the news live. Gifford insisted, stating, "You’ve got to. If you know it, we’ve got to do it. Don’t hang on it. It’s a tragic moment, and this is going to shake up the whole world." Cosell then informed the national audience. He also provided play-by-play for Super Bowl XIX in 1985, the first broadcast on ABC, and later switched to color commentator in 1986 when Al Michaels took over play-by-play duties.

Reader's Guide

Gifford spent his entire NFL career with the New York Giants, beginning in 1952, playing both offense and defense. He made eight Pro Bowl appearances and had five trips to the NFL Championship Game. His Pro Bowl selections came at three positions: safety, halfback, and flanker. He permanently retired following the 1964 season. During his 12 seasons with the Giants (136 regular-season games) Gifford had 3,609 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in 840 carries; he also had 367 receptions for 5,434 yards and 43 touchdowns. Gifford completed 29 of the 63 passes he threw for 823 yards and 14 touchdowns with 6 interceptions. The 14 touchdowns is the most among any non-quarterback in NFL history; the 6 interceptions is tied with Walter Payton for most thrown by a non-quarterback. After his death, an autopsy on his brain revealed that he lived with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Did You Know?

• Gifford lost 18 months in the prime of his career after being knocked out by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik in 1960, suffering a severe concussion that led him to retire in 1961, but he returned in 1962.
• Gifford was providing play-by-play in the waning moments of a 1980 Monday Night Football game when he and Howard Cosell learned of John Lennon's murder; Gifford convinced Cosell to break the news live on air.
• In 1977, Gifford won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality.