Former Giants General Manager Ernie Accorsi Dies at 84

Ernie Accorsi, a well-known American football executive, died on Saturday at the age of 84, his family and the New York Giants announced. The club and family members said the death was made public on Sunday; no information was given regarding the cause of death or where it occurred.

As NFL reports, Accorsi served as the Giants’ general manager from 1998 to 2006. In the decade that followed, he collected championship rings from the team’s triumphs in the 2007 and 2011 seasons and became the club’s second general manager to be inducted into its Ring of Honor.

During his tenure, New York hired Tom Coughlin as head coach and pulled off the trade to acquire quarterback Eli Manning after the Chargers selected him with the first pick in the 2004 draft. The team reached the playoffs four times in the six seasons between 2005 and 2011, while names like Manning, Amani Toomer, Antonio Pierce and Michael Strahan formed the foundation of later successes.

Accorsi had a long career before joining the Giants: a native of Hershey, Pennsylvania, he earned a communications degree from Wake Forest, served in the U.S. Army, worked as a sports journalist and in public relations at Penn State and for the Baltimore Colts. He also spent time in the league’s front office, returned to the Colts as assistant general manager, was promoted to Baltimore’s GM post in 1982 and then held the same role with the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1992.

The club and various football figures commented on his passing, describing Accorsi as a visionary leader and trusted advisor who had influenced the building of championship teams. His family emphasized that the Giants were more than a team to him and expressed thanks to the Mara family; according to NFL, family members appreciated the club’s support and friendship over the years.