Up Close with Frank Gifford

Since 1971, there is one name synonymous with ABC's "Monday Night Football": Frank Gifford.

With the exception of its debut season, Gifford was the primary play-by-play announcer for "Monday Night Football" for nearly three decades. He remains part of the action in his new role as co-host of "Monday Night Football's"pre-game show, "Monday Night Blast", alongside co-host Chris Berman.

Over the years, there have been 11 announcers who have worked alongside Gifford-current announcers Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf, as well as famous football personas such as Joe Namath, O.J. Simpson, Fran Tarkenton, Alex Karras and Fred Williamson, to name a few.

"Frank was a calming influence, a great voice and a real comfortable listen," said Dierdorf of his colleague.

It hasn't always been easy for Gifford. In the earlier days, he had his hands full with the outspoken Howard Cosell and the down home country boy Don Meredith.

Gifford recalled, "I came along to keep the law and order in the broadcast booth. It was a telecast that was more like a talk show and sometimes a pretty good talk show. We got people to watch who hated Howard and people who loved Don's irreverent analysis of the game. "

Dennis Lewin, currently Senior Vice-President of Broadcast Planning for the NFL and former producer of the show remembered Gifford's contribution to the telecast, "Frank never knew what Don and Howard were going to say. He had to make sure the audience knew the nuts and bolt of the game. Because Howard and Don weren't traditional analysts, Frank had to perform a play by play role. Frank brought a player’s perspective to the broadcast. He brought stability, love and care of the game."

Gifford enjoyed the perks of being a high profile personality. "It was such a big happening when 'Monday Night Football' came to a town that the mayors would have parades for us. I have got more keys to more cities, it's unbelievable. It was a big event," recalled Gifford.

With his All-American good looks and charming personality, Gifford could have easily

taken another role. He once enrolled in acting lessons and considered an acting career.

"I worked in the movies and did a couple of television pilots while I still playing professional football. At the time, I wasn't willing to give up football for acting. You can't do both. Then by the time I got through playing, I was involved with broadcasting. Unless you totally commit yourself, I don't think you can be successful in acting," explained Gifford.

His total commitment to broadcasting and football has earned him many honors and one unique distinction. Gifford is the only person to enter the Professional Football Hall of Fame as both player and broadcaster.

ABC's MNF sideline reporter and one of Gifford's biggest fans, Lesley Visser, shared her feelings about her co-worker, "Frank is the consummate gentleman with style and grace, almost a Cary Grant sensibility. He is a wealth of anecdotes. People of all ages love him."

Whether Gifford is in front of the camera or somewhere behind the scenes, he is a man who is comfortable with himself and his surroundings. A man who is respected by his colleagues and who will be associated with "Monday Night Football" for years to come.