Photo Special: Frank Gifford Dies at 84

Pro Football Hall of Famer, TV commentator and husband to Kathie Lee Gifford Frank Gifford has died at 84 according to a statement from NBC News and his family.

Gifford's family issued the following statement through NBC on Sunday:

"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."

He was with the New York Giants 1952-60, 1962- 64, missing one year because of an injury. He won the league's Most Valuable Player Award in 1956 and left the Giants with all-time records for touchdowns, 78, and yards gained in pass receiving. He became a part-time broadcaster for CBS in 1957, went full-time in 1965, and moved to ABC in 1971. He was on ABC's Monday Night Football and Wide World of Sports. Gifford received the Emmy Award for sports commentary in 1971 and the Christopher Award in 1974. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. The NFL Alumni group gave him its Achievement Award in 1985. Gifford served as chairman of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of New York. The society in 1984 established a $100,000 grant for research in his name. Gifford wrote four books, of which the best known are "Gifford on Courage" and "The Whole Ten Yards."

Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford. Kathie Lee's upcoming musical "Under the Bridge" begins previews at the Zipper Theater on December 1st. from Theatre Legend Cy Coleman Passes Away at 75 on 11/18/2004 by Linda Lenzi

Kathie Lee Gifford with husband Frank and daughter Cassidy from Photo Coverage: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Opening Night Red Carpet on 4/29/2005 by Walter McBride

Joan Epstein (Kathie Lee's Mother) and Frank Gifford from Photo Coverage: Only Make Believe's 2005 Benefit on 11/8/2005 by Linda Lenzi

Kathy Lee and Frank Gifford from Photo Coverage: Opening Night at Fanny Hill on 2/15/2006 by BWW News Desk

Kathie Lee Gifford and Frank Gifford from Photo Coverage: 'Cyrano' Opening Night & Party on 11/2/2007 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford and Kathie Lee Gifford from Photo Coverage: 'Cyrano' Opening Night Arrivals on 11/2/2007 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford and Kathie Lee Gifford from Photo Coverage: 'Cyrano' Opening Night Arrivals on 11/2/2007 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford and Kathie Lee Gifford from Photo Coverage: 'Cyrano' Opening Night Arrivals on 11/2/2007 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford and Kathie Lee Gifford from Photo Coverage: 'Cyrano' Opening Night Arrivals on 11/2/2007 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford from Photo Coverage: 'The Little Mermaid' Opening Night Arrivals on 1/11/2008 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford from Photo Coverage: '9 to 5: The Musical' Opening Arrivals on 5/1/2009 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford and Kathie Lee Gifford from Photo Coverage: '9 to 5: The Musical' Opening Arrivals on 5/1/2009 by Walter McBride

Kathie Lee Gifford and Frank Gifford from Photo Coverage: The 2009 American Theatre Wing Spring Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on 6/2/2009 by BWW News Desk

Frank Gifford from Photo Coverage: THE ADDAMS FAMILY Red Carpet on 4/9/2010 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford from Photo Coverage: THE ADDAMS FAMILY Red Carpet on 4/9/2010 by Walter McBride

Kathie Lee Gifford, James M. Nederlander, Frank Gifford from Photo Flash: Nederlander Honored With Schoenfeld Education Award on 5/20/2010 by BWW News Desk

Frank Gifford from Photo Coverage: SCANDALOUS' Opening Night Arrivals! on 11/16/2012 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford, Kathie Lee Gifford from Photo Coverage: SCANDALOUS Opening Night on Broadway - THE AFTER Party! on 11/16/2012 by Jennifer Broski

Frank Gifford, Kathie Lee Gifford, Cassidy Gifford and Cody Gifford from Photo Coverage: SCANDALOUS' Opening Night Arrivals! on 11/16/2012 by Walter McBride

Frank Gifford, Kathie Lee Gifford, Cassidy Gifford, Cody Gifford from Photo Coverage: SCANDALOUS Opening Night on Broadway - THE AFTER Party! on 11/16/2012 by Jennifer Broski

Frank Gifford, Kathie Lee Gifford, Cody Gifford and Cassidy Erin Gifford from Photo Coverage: SCANDALOUS' Opening Night Arrivals! on 11/16/2012 by Walter McBride

Kathie Lee Gifford, James M. Nederlander, Frank Gifford from Photo Flash: Nederlander Honored With Schoenfeld Education Award on 5/20/2010 by BWW News Desk