To some he was one of the early icons of the NFL, a Southern California kid with movie-star good looks who embodied the idea of a star athlete as the face of the New York football Giants.
To others, those of a younger tilt, he was the voice of one of the most popular developments in sports history, part of a troika, along with Howard Cosell and "Dandy" Don Meredith that made Monday Night Football an event.
But to Eagles fans, Frank Gifford will always be remembered for something else. He will be remembered as the unfortunate soul who was on the receiving end of one of the most famous hits in league history.
Frank Gifford, meet Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik.
Bednarik's bruising, blind-side hit on Gifford as the receiver cruised over the middle embodied the barely controlled violence that is part and parcel of the NFL.
Today, the hit might draw a flag.
Back then, in the early days of the NFL, it was celebrated as part of the basic appeal of football, men colliding in a brutally physical game.
Gifford was an all-Pro, in many ways the face of the game. That changed a little bit when "Conrete Charlie" unloaded on him, leaving Gifford prone on the ground and providing one of the sports iconic images, as Bednarik stood over him. It was the fourth quarter of a key contest with first place on the line. Nov. 20, 1960, the 6-1 Eagles facing off with their bitter rivals, the 5-1-1 Giants. First place was on the line.
Bednarik always said he was not delighting in the stretched-out body of a bitter foe, instead saying he was simply rejoicing in an Eagles victory.
Gifford died yesterday at the age of 84.
A bit of the game, and Philly sports lore, goes with him. Bednarik died last year.
If the most fearsome Eagle is at the gate to welcome him, it would not be a surprise if Gifford ducked.
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