1962 Profiles: Frank Gifford and Joe Morrison

FRANK GIFFORD
Flanker
No. 16
USC
"Frank Gifford, the glamor-boy of the pro ranks, returns after taking a year off to recover completely from a brain concussion. The Bakersfield, California native has been the busiest of all Giants since starting in 1952. He's acquired All-Pro status as both an offensive and defensive halfback, and none could execute the pass-option as capably. Tremendous as a runner and receiver, Frank is good as a passer and all alone as an inspirational leader.
He leaves lucrative advertising and radio-TV duties to attempt to win a 1962 job as a flanker-back."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Frank returns to the active ranks in 1962. He is the all-time Giant point scorer."

-1962 Topps No. 104


JOE MORRISON
Flanker-Safety
No. 40
Cincinnati
Joe's greatest value to the Giants is his versatility. He can be relied on as a halfback, fullback, flanker, tight end, defensive back or kick returner. As a rookie in 1959, he had a 23.0 kickoff return average and in the championship game returned two kicks, one for 33 yards and the other for 22 yards. In 1960, he rushed for 346 yards, recorded 29 receptions for 367 yards, a 12.7 average, and on defense recovered three fumbles.
Last September 24 in Yankee Stadium, Joe caught a key touchdown pass from Tittle in the third quarter for a 17-7 lead in a 17-14 win over Pittsburgh, New York's first win of the season. On October 15 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Joe's one-yard touchdown run gave the Giants a 17-10 lead in an eventual 31-10 win over the Cowboys, lifting New York to a 4-1 record and a tie with Philadelphia for first in the East.

"In modern pro football, where there are so many specialized jobs to fill and, with rosters so tightly restricted and so few men to fill them, players like Joe Morrison (40) are worth their weight in gold.

This stalwart Cincinnati graduate, a No. 3 draft choice in 1959, does everything well. Offensively, he can play behind the ball, on the flank and as a relief end.

He finished last season as a defensive regular. And he's a crack kick returner. He's a good man to have around."

-New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)