From the 1956 Championship season. New York Giant players (from left to right) – Frank Gifford , Ray Beck, Charley Conerly and Alex Webster.
Played for the Giants from 1952-64 (sat out the 1961 season after a devastating injury in 1960). Made the Pro Bowl as both
an offensive and defensive back during his 12-year career. Eight-time Pro Bowler and the 1956 NFL player of the year. Among Giants players he ranks #1 in Career Touchdowns scored: 78, #2 in Most Receiving Yards: 5,434, #3 with 9,753 Total Career Yards, #6 on the All-Time Receiving List with 367 receptions and #8 on the All-time Rushing list with 3,609 yards.
Vince Lombardi was the offensive coordinator of the Giants from 1954 to 1958. During that time Gifford was All-Pro 4 times and a Pro Bowler all 5 years. In 1956 he led the league in Yards From Scrimmage with 1422.
Before he was the Giant’s 1st round draft pick in 1952 he was an All-American at USC while doing bit parts in movies.
One of the most versatile player in the NFL at the time he was a true Triple Threat Option player able to run the ball, catch and throw it. He threw 14 touchdown passes in his career and had 823 yards passing.
As a rookie he started in the defensive backfield and by 1953 had earned a spot in the Pro Bowl as a Left Cornerback. Here he is during the 1952 season after just picking off an Otto Graham pass.
2 aging stars in the twilight of their careers. In 1961 YA Tittle joined the Giants and when Gifford rejoined the team in 1962 both men retired after the 1964 campaign. During that period from 1961 to 1964 the Giants won 3 East Divisional Titles while Tittle proved his career was hardly over with 3 Pro Bowl selections and making the All-Pro team 1962 and 1963. Gifford returned in 1962 after sitting out a year following that hellacious hit he received from Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik as a receiver. He made the Pro Bowl in 1963.
His 10 consecutive games scoring a touchdown is #1 in New Yorks Giants History. On another occasion he scored a touchdown in 6 consecutive games, which ranks #3 on that same list.
1956, Giants and Eagles. New York Giants legend Frank Gifford gets a head of steam as he hits a hole in the Philadelphia Eagles defense. Gifford was the 1956 NFL MVP leading the league with 1422 Total Yards from Scrimmage. Pictured along with Gifford are fellow Giants Bill Austin (#60) & Mel Triplett (#33). Eagles identified are Tom Scott (#82), Wayne Robinson (#52) & Sid Youngelman (#73).
The 1956 NFL MVP catches 1 of his 4 touchdowns that year.
With Big Rosey Brown out in front to block Giants runner Frank Gifford gets ready to turn upfield.
From 1957, Giants All Pro running back Frank Gifford turns upfield with Cardinal defender Jack Jennings hanging on.
Giants runner Frank Gifford (#16) turns upfield as Jesse Thomas (#40) of the Colts works in vain to stop him. Fellow Giants Bill Austin (#60), Ray Wietecha (#55) & Alex Webster (#29) lead interference in this 1957 Colts-Giant showdown.
The last game of the 1963 season, Frank Gifford (#16) makes a catch against the Steelers Dick Haley (#27). 1963 was Gifford’s 11th of 12 years in the league and by this time he was used more as a receiver than a runningback. His 42 catches were second best for the Giants that year.
Franks Gifford (#16) gets a big block from Roosevelt Brown (#79) as he carries outside against the Cleveland Browns. In 1959 Gifford made his last of 8 NFL All Pro Teams in his career when he tallied 1308 yards from scrimmage averaging 119 yards rushing and receiving a game.
Along with Rosey Brown and Frank Gifford we see Giants teammates Darrell Dess (#62) & Charley Connerly (#42) with Bob Gain (#79) and defensive back Jim Shofner (#44) on the receiving end of Brown’s takedown.
After a savage injury in 1960 Frank Gifford sat out the 1961 season and in 1962 switched over from runningback to flanker. He did well enough after the transition to earn a Pro Bowl spot in 1963.
The offensive backfield that got the New York Giants to three consecutive trips to the NFL Championship Title Game in 1961, 1962 & 1963 – but lost all three times. From left to right: YA Tittle (#14), Alex Webster (#29), Frank Gifford (#16) & Phil King (#24)
Wracked up over 9,000 Total Yards from Scrimmage in his 12-year NFL career. He also passed for 14 touchdowns running the halfback option play.
Giants runner Frank Gifford gets behind lineman Darrell Dess here in this early 1960s action against the Browns. Dess played in the NFL a total of 13 years – 10 in New York. Browns #30 is Bernie Parrish and #46 is Don Fleming.
Photo Credit – Rob Rigor
Big Rosey Brown leads the way through the Washington Redskins defense as Frank Gifford dashes through. 1957 was a busy year for Gifford. He was the Giants leading rusher and receiver he made the All Pro Team and the Pro Bowl. #33 behind Gifford is Mel Triplett.
Frank Gifford make a finger-tip grab against Tom Brookshire and the Eagles – probably 1956. That year Gifford had the most Yards from Scrimmage with 1422.
Frank Gifford scores against the Redskins in 1956. We think this is the December game where Gifford rushed for 108 yards and scored 3 touchdowns – 2 rushing and 1 receiving. #65 is rookie Jerry Huth from Wake Forest.
From the 1958 NFL Title game between New York and Baltimore. Frank Gifford is cornered by “Big Daddy” Lipscomb and former Giant Ray Krouse. Deemed the Greatest Game Ever Played Gifford had 60 yards on 12 carries and 3 catches with 1 score – a 4th quarter 15-yard reception from Charlie Conerly in 23-17 loss to the Colts.
In 1962 Frank Gifford returned to the Giants after suffering a devastating injury 2 years before. He was switched to the Flanker position and ended up with 39 catches for 796 yards (a 20.6 YPC average) and 7 touchdowns. Here Giants lineman Darrell Dess gets out in front of him as Ram Jack Pardee moves up to engage.
His Pro Hamlet photo hangs on my wall along with a photo that I was fortunate to meet and greet from Giants stadium two years before he passed . They talked about a movie Glory Game from his book still waiting