Following is a transcript of Al Michaels’ halftime tribute tonight to Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford, who died this morning. Michaels worked alongside Gifford in the ABC Monday Night Football booth for 12 seasons, from 1986-97.
“Frank Gifford died today in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the age of 84. He was a very special man, in so many ways. As an athlete, he grew up in Southern California. He was an all-American at USC. Then, it was on to the New York Giants, where Frank played offense and defense over a 13-year Hall of Fame career. He could run, he could throw, and he could catch, and to this day, his name is still jotted throughout the Giants record book. You had to live in New York in the ‘50s and ‘60s to truly understand what a gigantic figure Frank Gifford was. He was right there with Mickey Mantle. Then it was on to broadcasting, where Frank worked for CBS and then ABC, which lead to a 27-year run in the Monday Night Football booth. I had the great pleasure and honor of spending the last 12 of those with him. He was a wonderful partner, a great teammate. I’ll forever remember Frank as a man that no matter what was going on around him, he was always the coolest guy in the room. Our thoughts and prayers tonight are with Kathie Lee, and the Gifford family. Rest in peace Frank.”
VIDEO: http://www.nbcsports.com/football/nfl/al-michaels-remembers-late-frank-gifford
