1964 Profile: Frank Gifford

Flanker
No. 16
USC
"Starting the third season of his 'second career' following his brief retirement during the 1961 season, Frank Gifford continues to sparkle at flanker-back. Last season he caught 42 passes for 657 yards and seven touchdowns. His one-handed catch in the season finale against the Steelers is regarded as the turning point of the game which saw the Giants clinch the Eastern title.
Born August 16, 1930, he was a triple-threat tailback at USC before joining the Giants in 1952. He then established himself as an All-NFL running back before suffering a serious head injury in 1960.
Frank is a model and a sportscaster in the off-season."

-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964

"A bone-jarring tackle thrown by 230-pound Chuck Bednarik of the Philadelphia Eagles sent Frank Gifford to the hospital with a concussion in 1960 and seemed to spell the end of his brilliant pro career.
'Frank took his eye off me for just a second,' Bednarik explained. 'He should have ducked but he was watching another back coming up. That was one of the hardest tackles I ever made. I was awfully sorry he was hurt.'
Gifford missed the remainder of the 1960 season and spent the following year as a New York scout. Then in 1962, at the age of 32, Frank announced he was attempting a comeback.
'I still have a desire to play football,' he said, 'and I know I can play well enough to help the Giants win.'
If some skeptics thought otherwise, Gifford quickly dispelled all doubts. Moving from halfback to flanker back, he caught 39 passes for 796 yards and seven touchdowns as the Giants won the Eastern Conference title. Last year Frank grabbed 42 passes for 657 yards, good for seven touchdowns. Once again, New York took the Eastern crown.
'It's hard to measure Frank's value to this club,' says Allie Sherman. 'It can't be done statistically. The number of passes he caught is not important. The big thing is that he inspired others.'
Born August 16, 1930 in Santa Monica, California, Gifford won All-America honors at Southern California, rushing for 841 yards and completing 32 out of 61 passes in 1951, his senior year. The top draft choice of the Giants in 1952, Frank hit his peak in 1956 when he was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player and led the team to the championship. Gifford's running (819 yards) and pass receiving (51 receptions) were nothing short of sensational that season. A six-time All-Pro, Gifford holds several all-time team offense records - scoring, touchdowns and pass receptions. But as coach Sherman says: 'I guess the real value of Gifford to the Giants is his winning habit.' "

-Bill Wise, 1964 Official Pro Football Almanac

"Back again is the Giants' old standby at flanker back, Frank Gifford, who doubles as sports director of New York television station WCBS-TV. The 1963 campaign was one of Giff's best, which greatly influenced the veteran's decision to return in '64. Playing the flanker position for only the second season, Frank snared 42 aerials for 657 yards, second only to Del Shofner on the club. His sparkling one-handed catch against the Steelers proved the turning point and decisive play in the Giants' final victory which nailed down the Eastern title.
Gifford joined the Giants in 1952, being their top draft pick. Throughout his career, he has been an outstanding running back, defensive ace as well as top-notch receiver. He returned to active duty in 1962 after a year in retirement. Frank holds numerous all-time Giant marks."

-Complete Sports 1964 New York Giants