Longtime NFL executive Ernie Accorsi, who built the Giants’ championship teams and orchestrated the Eli Manning trade, died at 84.
The New York Giants announced that former general manager Ernie Accorsi died on Saturday at age 84, surrounded by family. Giants owner John Mara said Accorsi’s vision, leadership and belief in building a championship organization left a lasting legacy.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called Accorsi one of the most respected football minds in league history and a dear friend whose wisdom he valued greatly.
Accorsi spent four decades in NFL front‑office roles, serving as general manager of the Cleveland Browns (1985‑1992), the Giants (1998‑2006) and briefly the Baltimore Colts (1982‑1983). He hired coach Tom Coughlin in 2004 and executed the draft‑day trade for quarterback Eli Manning that same year, moves praised by Coughlin and Manning. He also drafted franchise players such as Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Chris Snee and Brandon Jacobs, contributing to the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII and XLVI victories.