Few men had a greater impact in the worlds of football and broadcasting than Frank Gifford, who died Sunday at 84.

After earning All-America honors at USC in 1951, Gifford became a Pro Football Hall of Famer with the New York Giants. After his playing career ended, Gifford became part of perhaps the most famous football announcing trio of all time, teaming with Howard Cosell and Don Meredith in the “Monday Night Football” booth for ABC.

At the time, the early 1970s, MNF was the only prime-time football on television. With Gifford serving as the straight man to the outspoken Cosell and the colorful Meredith, MNF became one of the most successful sports series in TV history. Gifford called more games in the MNF booth – 411 – than any commentator, according to ESPN, which took over the series in 2006. In 1995, Gifford received the Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.

“Frank Gifford was an exceptional man who will be missed by everyone who had the joy of seeing his talent on the field, the pleasure of watching his broadcasts or the honor of knowing him,” Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, which owns ABC and ESPN, said in a statement. “His many achievements were defined by a quiet dignity and a personal grace that is seldom seen in any arena; he truly embodied the very best of us.

“Frank’s contributions to ABC Sports and our company are immeasurable. We are honored to call him a Disney Legend, and I am very fortunate to have called him a dear friend and colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”

Gifford’s family announced his death from natural causes through NBC News late Sunday morning. Gifford’s wife, Kathie Lee Gifford, is a co-host of the “Today” show on NBC.

“It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Frank Gifford,” the statement read. “We rejoice in the extraordinary life he was privileged to live, and we feel grateful and blessed to have been loved by such an amazing human being.”

Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch spoke of Gifford as if he were a member of their families.

“Frank Gifford was the ultimate Giant,” Mara said in a statement released by the team. “He was the face of our franchise for so many years. More importantly, he was a treasured member of our family. My father (Wellington) loved him like a son and was proud to act as his presenter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a favor Frank returned years later by presenting my father in Canton. For my siblings and me, Frank was like a revered older brother whom we looked up to and admired. We loved him and will miss him terribly.”

Said Tisch: “Not only was Frank a member of the Giants family from the time he left USC, and will be forever, but because Frank, my father (Bob) and Pete Rozelle were so close in the ’60s, I felt like he was a member of my family. I always loved seeing Frank on our sideline before our games. He had the handshake of a 25-year-old, and he looked you right in the eye with his big blue eyes. He was such a strong person in every way. He will be missed and will always be remembered as a Giants’ Giant.”

Gifford earned enshrinement into the Hall of Fame in 1977 after a 12-year career with the Giants in which he compiled 9,043 scrimmage yards and scored 77 touchdowns as a halfback and flanker. The 11th pick in the 1952 NFL draft, Gifford was an eight-time Pro Bowl player – at three positions, including defensive back – and a four-time first-team All-Pro. Gifford helped the Giants win the NFL championship in 1956, when he was named league MVP. They were the runners-up in 1958 and ’63.

Gifford’s playing career nearly ended in November 1960 when he suffered a severe concussion after being leveled by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik, another future Hall of Famer. Gifford missed the rest of that season and sat out all of the ’61 season before returning the following year as a receiver.

Born in Santa Monica, Gifford starred at Bakersfield High. After a brief stint in junior college, Gifford lettered at USC from 1949-51. He was the Trojans’ leading rusher in ’51, gaining 841 yards. He also served as the team’s kicker and in 1950 tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Gifford was a member of the USC Athletic Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1994.

Gifford is survived by wife Kathie Lee, his five children – Jeff, Kyle, Victoria, Cody and Cassidy – and five grandchildren. Cody was a walk-on receiver at USC in 2011.

Contact the writer: mlev@ocregister.com