Frank Gifford Dies: NFL Hall of Famer, Sportscaster and Husband of Kathie Lee Gifford Was 84

The former New York Giants player passed away on Aug. 9, his family said in a statement

By Corinne Heller Aug 09, 2015 7:33 PMTags
Kathie Lee Gifford, Frank GiffordTheo Wargo/Getty Images

Frank Gifford, a sportscaster, NFL Hall of Famer and former New York Giants star and husband of Today show co-anchor Kathie Lee Gifford, has died at age 84.

The football icon passed away on Sunday. His death was confirmed by his family in a NBC News statement.

"It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Frank Gifford," the statement read. "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," it added. "We ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time and we thank you for your prayers."

He and Kathie Lee married in 1986. They share two children—son Cody, 25, and daughter Cassidy, 22.

"Deeply grateful to all 4 ur outpouring of grace," Kathie Lee tweeted. "We r steadfast in our faith & finding comfort in knowing where Frank is. Phillippians 4:13."

AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

Frank was born on Aug. 16, 1930 in Southern California. He began his NFL career in 1952 and was drafted by the New York Giants. He played with the team throughout his entire football career, until 1964.

Frank was made the NFL MVP in 1956 and led the Giants to a league championship. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. He was made an announcer on Monday Night Football in 1971 and left the show in the late '90s.

Several celebrities, including Kathie Lee's Today co-host Hoda Kotb and other famous NBC colleagues, expressed their condolences on Twitter.

—Additional reporting by Holly Passalaqua

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