Former USC Star Quarterback Frank Gifford Dies At 84

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Frank Gifford was a star quarterback at USC (pictured above in 1950), became a huge NFL star with the New York Giants from 1952-64 and was league MVP in 1956. His family announced today he died at age 84. Gifford was also a fixture as part of the Monday Night Football broadcast team from 1971-97.

A statement from his family is after the jump:

“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.”

13 thoughts on “Former USC Star Quarterback Frank Gifford Dies At 84

  1. Gifford was a true USC legend. A college All-American, NFL MVP who played running back, wide receiver, and defensive back.

    Gifford was a character in Frank Exley’s novel “A Fan’s Notes”, which is the story of an alcoholic who fails at everything in life but becomes fixated about Frank Gifford while at USC.

  2. Aside from his football heroics, I liked his pleasant voice and manner on Monday Night Football opposite the loudmouths.

    And since we are on the topic of great ones dying, Junior Seau’s daughter gave her speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony yesterday, albeit not being allowed on the main stage.

    I tried to read her speech to my wife this morning and could not get through it without sobbing uncontrollably. She talked about how Junior was more than a sensational athlete, but a loving man and father as well, and how the entire family misses him so. And she concluded by stating, “You made it [to the Hall of Fame].”

    • Being born in 1981 my first clear memories of USC FOOTBALL growing up was Rodney Peete and Junior Seau throwing his fist violently after a tackle. I have my #55 Jersey still. And growing up in a small town of 25,000 Banning, Ca when I wore my Seau Jersey to High School one day it was as if I pulled up in a Ferrari. Just the respect his name and number brought to football. It was a very touching ceremony. Two Trojans Gifford Seau have moved on and will be missed.

      • That 1988 team Junior Seau was on should have won the National Title. Still don’t know what happened in that Notre Dame game. We seemed flat after that great thumping of the ruins and Aikman.

        • Well, it was a really poor first half, To start the game Quarterback Rice surprised us with a long, long pass, and then Rice faked out our end and ran for a long, long touchdown. And then in the final minutes of the half Rodney Peete threw an interception, ruined his shoulder trying to make a tackle on the guy, and the ND guy ran for a touchdown.

          In the second half Peete was not himself with the bum shoulder and SC could not muster a comeback.

        • I was a student at SC from 86-90 and those were some very good teams my last two years. I’m not sure if Larry Smith’s coaching was to blame or what. It was cool back then too because anyone could go up the walkways at Dedeaux Field and watch practice on Howard Jone’s Field. I have a ton of pictures of practices back then. Its hard to believe Scott Ross and Seau have passed away from those teams.

  3. HE WAS always a true trojan…a gentleman too…not perfect but a gentleman.

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