Frank Gifford, August 16, 1930 -
Frank Gifford was born on August 16, 1930 in Santa Monica, California. He went to Bakersfield High School before attending the University of Southern California. At USC, Gifford played single-wing tailback for the school's football team. Once he graduated, he went on to play for the National Football League's New York Giants in 1952.
With the Giants, Gifford was given the opportunity to play offense. In this position, he led the team to 7 Pro Bowl games and was named NFL Player of the Year by United Press International in 1956. He was named All Pro halfback from 1955 to 1957 and 1959. Gifford retired in 1960 after receiving a serious concussion, but returned in '61 as a flanker to play three more years.
When Gifford retired for good from the game, he chose to stay involved by becoming first a pro football analyst for CBS, and then a sportscaster for ABC's Monday Night Football. He was one of the dream team of three, Gifford, Cosell and Meredith. Monday Night Football went on to become the longest run prime time show to this date. Gifford also comments on skiing events during the Winter Olympics.
Gifford played 12 NFL seasons and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 for his record winning efforts in the game of football.