Ernie Accorsi, former New York Giants general manager, dies at 84

Ernie Accorsi, the former general manager of the New York Giants, died at 84, the team said.

Fox News reported Accorsi was the Giants’ general manager from 1998 to 2006 and earlier served as general manager of the Baltimore Colts and executive vice president of football operations for the Cleveland Browns.

The Accorsi family released a statement saying it was the honor of his life to represent the Colts, Browns and Giants and that the organizations and many longtime friends meant a great deal to him. The family added, “Once a Giant, always a Giant.”

Giants president John Mara said Accorsi “helped shape the course of New York Giants history through his vision, leadership and unwavering belief in building a championship organization” and that “his legacy will forever be part of the Giants, and he will be greatly missed.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Accorsi was “one of the most respected football minds in NFL history” and noted his work as co-chair of the General Managers Advisory Committee, Fox News reported.

Accorsi executed the trade that brought Eli Manning to the Giants during the 2004 NFL Draft, trading the rights to Philip Rivers to the San Diego Chargers for Manning, Fox News reported. Manning later led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles.

Eli Manning issued a statement saying he was “extremely sad” to hear the news and that he often called Accorsi each draft week to thank him for making the trade and believing in him, Fox News reported.

The Giants inducted Accorsi into their Ring of Honor in 2016 alongside Tom Coughlin and Justin Tuck, Fox News reported.

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