Ernie Accorsi, legendary Giants general manager who made the shrewd move to get Eli Manning, dead at 84

Ernie Accorsi, a legendary New York Giants front office executive who helped build the roster that made it to Super Bowl XXXV and traded for Eli Manning , has died, the team said.

He was 84.

Accorsi was the Giants’ general manager from 1998 to 2006.

He was also the general manager of the Baltimore Colts and the executive vice president of football operations for the Cleveland Browns .

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DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW! "It was the honor of my dad’s lifetime to represent the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants, three organizations that meant so much to him throughout his remarkable career," the Accorsi family said.

"Our family is deeply grateful to each of them and to the many people who became lifelong friends along the way.

"We are especially grateful to the New York Giants organization, John Mara, Ronnie Barnes, and the late Wellington Mara for their friendship, loyalty, and love for my father over so many years.

The Giants were far more than a team to him.

They were family, and being part of that family was something he treasured.

Once a Giant, always a Giant." The Giants released a statement on Accorsi’s death hours before the start of the majority of the NFL’s Week 2 slate .

"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 a statement.

"Beyond his accomplishments as a football executive, he was a trusted advisor and dear friend.

His legacy will forever be part of the Giants, and he will be greatly missed." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also reflected on Accorsi’s life and impact.