Iconic Sportscaster Frank Gifford Dead

Posted by | August 9, 2015 16:15 | Filed under: Media/Show Business


CNN reports:

Former NFL star and longtime sportscaster Frank Gifford died Sunday of natural causes in his Connecticut home, his family said.

Gifford, who was married to talk show host Kathie Lee Gifford, was 84.

“It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Frank Gifford,” the Gifford family said in a statement.

“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.”

NBC posted this brief obituary:

Born in Santa Monica in 1930, Gifford attended the University of Southern California on a football scholarship and went pro after being selected 11th overall in the first round of the 1952 draft.

Gifford played with the New York Giants his entire NFL career, from 1952 to 1964, with several visits to the Pro-Bowl. In 1956 he was league MVP and lead the team to a championship (before it was called “The Super Bowl”).

After his playing career ended, he became a sports commentator, first for CBS and then as a co-host of Monday Night Football from 1971 to 1985.

He married Kathie Lee Epstein, current TODAY show host, on October 18, 1986.

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By: dave-dr-gonzo

David Hirsch, a.k.a. Dave "Doctor" Gonzo*, is a renegade record producer, video producer, writer, reformed corporate shill, and still-registered lobbyist for non-one-percenter performing artists and musicians. He lives in a heavily fortified compound in one of Manhattan's less trendy neighborhoods.

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13 responses to Iconic Sportscaster Frank Gifford Dead

  1. rg9rts August 9th, 2015 at 16:38

    RIP

    • F_cons August 9th, 2015 at 18:42

      He’s going to enjoy the afterlife, he more than paid for it with his “wife”

      • anothertoothpick August 9th, 2015 at 19:50

        He should have stayed out of that “sweat shop” debocal.

        He made a fool out of himself and I lost all respect I had for him.

      • tracey marie August 9th, 2015 at 22:09

        his wife…you mean the one who forgave him for whoringaround and biting prostitutes on the back?

        • F_cons August 10th, 2015 at 10:22

          Ugh, I didn’t know that. They make a lovely pair

  2. anothertoothpick August 9th, 2015 at 19:46

    Monday Night Football

    If I remember right Gifford was the second play-by-play guy.

    For a while there ABC had Gifford, Cosell, and Alex Karras in the booth.

    That was back in the day when NFL football was worth watching.

    I pay Zero attention to it nowadays. Unless of course I got an edge on a bet.

    • Larry Schmitt August 10th, 2015 at 08:04

      Keith Jackson did the first year, 1970, then Gifford 71-85, then he went to color from 86-97 when Al Michaels did play-by-play.

      • anothertoothpick August 10th, 2015 at 08:23

        Ahhhhhh yes!

        Kieth” FUMMMMBILLLL” ?? Jackson. How could I forget him.

        Thanks Larry.

        • Larry Schmitt August 10th, 2015 at 08:26

          He was the voice of college football for years, back when ABC had the exclusive contract.

    • burqa August 10th, 2015 at 22:19

      Back then a game would be booked on TV for 2 hours and there would usually be 10 or 15 minutes for a post-game show.

      I remember seeing Karras and Jerry Kramer back then doing the Canadian football games on UHF….

  3. tracey marie August 9th, 2015 at 22:08

    Old back biter gifford.

  4. burqa August 10th, 2015 at 22:20

    A great athlete, marvelous sportscaster, and those who knew him say he was a fine man.
    My condolences to his family, friends and others who cared for him.
    I say let them grieve in peace.

    • bobrobertson August 10th, 2015 at 22:38

      Donald Trump released a statement an hour ago:
      Gifford wasn’t worthy of shining Howard Cosell’s shoes. He was a big fat losah slob who gave me a headache after ten minutes of listening to his voice.

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