Frank Gifford was a legend in the NFL, a Hall of Fame player with the New York Giants and a longtime staple in the booth of ABC's Monday Night Football. Gifford still holds the record for the most touchdowns scored by a New York Giant. In those years, Gifford was rivaled in the Big Apple by only New York Yankee Mickey Mantle.
By all accounts, Gifford was wonderful man who lived a storybook life in a game we all cherish. But suddenly on Sunday, the nation learned Gifford died of natural causes at 84.
It was Gifford, in the ABC Monday Night Football booth with Howard Cosell, who pressed Cosell that they needed to convey to the country the horribly sad news that came their way via ABC News flash, the news that former Beatle John Lennon has been shot dead outside of his Manhattan apartment.
Prior to internet and in large measure cable television, it was how America learned of Lennon's death, which affected many of us deeply. I saw and heard it live, for it was my Miami Dolphins in action hosting the New England Patriots on that evening, December 8, 1980, from Miami's Orange Bowl.
Gifford was a part of Americana, and the large impact he had on the American sporting landscape was invaluable and greatly appreciated.
We woke up this morning to learn that NASCAR legend Buddy Baker has passed away at 74.
It was shortly after the Coke Zero 500 when Baker, the 1980 Daytona 500 champion, announced he was stepping down from NASCAR broadcasts due to an inoperable tumor in his lung. Baker, at 6'6" and nicknamed the "Gentle Giant" due his stature coupled with friendly demeanor, will be greatly missed in the NASCAR community.
"Do not shed a tear. Give a smile when you say my name." Consider that done!
Sadly, we are starting to lose many of the legends we grew up with. We need to keep their memories alive.
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