The family of late Giants football legend Frank Gifford revealed Wednesday that he suffered from a degenerative condition triggered by years of head blows, and announced that his brain has been donated for medical research.
The Hall of Famer was 84 when he died on Aug. 9, and relatives said he had “experienced firsthand” symptoms associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
His widow, Kathie Lee Gifford, is a co-host for NBC’s “Today” show.
The family issued a statement saying it “made the difficult decision to have his brain studied in hopes of contributing to the advancement of medical research concerning the link between football and traumatic brain injury.”
While Gifford had a full postplaying career that included 27 seasons in the “Monday Night Football” broadcast booth, loved ones said he suffered symptoms of CTE toward the end.
A running back, defensive back, wide receiver and special-teams player for 12 seasons, Gifford was the NFL MVP in 1956, when Big Blue won the league championship.
A crushing hit by Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik in November 1960 flattened Gifford and likely shortened his football career. Bednarik stood over the unconscious Gifford, pumping his fist in celebration. Gifford was in the hospital for 10 days and sidelined until 1962.
The NFL has been under fire in recent years for its alleged lack of action to protect players.
Earlier this year, the league settled a class-action lawsuit that opened the door to some former players — or their survivors — to get up to $5 million for brain-related trauma.
But at least 200 players opted out of the class-action and are weighing individual suits against the league.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement Tuesday saying the league was working to prevent concussions and make the game safer.
“We have more work to do, work that honors great men like Frank Gifford,” it said.