Frank Gifford Biography

Fast Facts

• Was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977
• Was a campus hero during his time at the University of Southern California, where he was the inspiration for his classmate Frederick Exley's 1968 memoir "A Fan's Notes," a staple of contemporary literature
• Was married to Kathie Lee Gifford, the longtime co-host of the morning program "Live with Regis & Kathie Lee․"
• Moved 47 times before graduating from high school because of his father, who was an oil-field worker
• Was drafted by the New York Giants during the first round of the 1952 NFL Draft
• Best known as a former professional football player for the New York Giants and as a television sportscaster for "Monday Night Football․"
• Joined "Monday Night Football" in 1971 during its second season on the air and provided commentary and analysis on the show until 1998
• While in college, he took bit parts in Hollywood films, most notably as a the stand-in who kicked the winning field goal in the 1951 football movie "That's My Boy․"
• Although his career effectively ended when he was the recipient of one of the most famous tackles in football history in 1960, he never felt any ill will toward the linebacker who hit him, Chuck Bednarik of the Philadelphia Eagles