Ernie Accorsi, the longtime NFL executive who helped build the New York Giants team that stunned the undefeated New England Patriots in one of the most famous Super Bowls ever played, has died at 84.
The Giants announced that Accorsi died peacefully Saturday while surrounded by his family. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Accorsi served as the Giants’ general manager from 1998 through 2006, but some of the biggest results of his work came after he stepped away.
The Giants won Super Bowl XLII following the 2007 season, shocking Tom Brady and the previously unbeaten Patriots, then defeated New England again four years later in Super Bowl XLVI.
Many of the players and coaches behind those championship runs were brought to New York during Accorsi’s tenure.
“Ernie helped shape the course of New York Giants history through his vision, leadership and unwavering belief in building a championship organization,” Giants president John Mara said in the team’s tribute.
Perhaps no move defined Accorsi’s career more than his aggressive pursuit of Eli Manning in the 2004 NFL Draft.
The San Diego Chargers selected Manning with the No. 1 overall pick, while the Giants took quarterback Philip Rivers fourth. Accorsi then completed a blockbuster deal that sent Rivers and several draft picks to San Diego in exchange for Manning.
Manning went on to become the quarterback of both Giants Super Bowl championship teams and was named MVP of Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.
Former Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Accorsi deserves lasting credit for making the gamble.
“He’s the guy that made the trade for Eli Manning,” Coughlin said. “That will go down in Giants history as one of the great moves of all time.”
Accorsi’s fascination with
