Frank Gifford, NFL Hall of Famer, Dies at 84

Frank Gifford, former New York Giant and NFL Hall of Famer, passed away this morning in his Connecticut home. He was 84.

In a statement released by NBC News on Sunday, his family said Gifford died suddenly at his Connecticut home of natural causes that morning. His wife, Kathie Lee, hosts for NBC's "Today."

"It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Frank Gifford," the family said in a statement.

Gifford was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1956. He led the New York Giants to a league championship that year.

In the 50's and 60's, Gifford was the leader of a Giants team that went to five NFL title games (pre-Super Bowl era). Beginning in 1971, he worked for Monday Night Football on ABC, at first as a play-by-play announcer and then as a color analyst.

"Frank died suddenly this beautiful Sunday morning of natural causes at his Connecticut home. 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. We ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time and we thank you for your prayers" the family said in a statement.