NEW YORK — Ernie Accorsi died on Saturday at the age of 84. The New York Giants announced Accorsi's death.

Accorsi died following a brief battle with cancer. He died surrounded by his family.

Giants president John Mara called Accorsi a "trusted advisor and dear friend." "Ernie helped shape the course of New York Giants history through his vision, leadership and unwavering belief in building a championship organization," Mara said. "His legacy will forever be part of the Giants, and he will be greatly missed."

Accorsi served as the New York Giants general manager from 1998 to 2006. He joined the Giants as an assistant to the general manager in 1994. George Young recruited Accorsi to be the Giants' assistant general manager. Accorsi worked as an assistant under Giants general manager George Young for four seasons.

Accorsi hired Tom Coughlin as head coach of the Giants. The Giants reached Super Bowl XXXV during the 2000 NFL season and lost to the Baltimore Ravens. The Giants won two NFC East titles during Accorsi's tenure as general manager. The Giants made four playoff appearances during Accorsi's tenure as general manager.

Accorsi acquired Eli Manning, Jeremy Shockey, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Brandon Jacobs, and Plaxico Burress between 2000 and 2006. Accorsi also drafted Amani Toomer, Chris Snee, Antonio Pierce, and Michael Strahan during his tenure with the Giants. The Giants won Super Bowl titles in the 2007 and 2011 seasons.

Accorsi retired from the Giants following the 2006 season. The Giants awarded Accorsi a championship ring for the Super Bowl XLVI victory. "I know he was the believer in me and kind of the reason I got here," Eli Manning said.

The San Diego Chargers selected Eli Manning first overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. The Giants selected Philip Rivers fourth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. The Giants traded Philip Rivers to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for Eli Manning.

Former Giants quarterback Eli Manning thanked Accorsi for "making the trade and believing in me." "I call Ernie every draft week for the last 12 years, maybe longer than that, and just thank him for making the trade and believing in me and bringing me to the New York Giants," he said. "RIP Ernie Accorsi. Thank you for making me a New York Giant," he posted.

Former Giants head coach Tom Coughlin stated Accorsi made the trade for Eli Manning on his own. "Ernie will always be remembered, and I say this out of great respect, 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." "Was it risky? Sure it was risky. Ernie did it. Shut the door, went in, he did it on his own. It was his move." "He had followed Eli from the time Eli was a very young player at Ole Miss, and he was convinced that Eli was the franchise quarterback that the Giants needed." "He was not going to be deterred. He saw an opportunity. I think both teams benefitted greatly from the decision, and Ernie pulled the trigger."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called Accorsi "one of the most respected football minds in NFL history." "Throughout his remarkable career, he shaped championship-caliber clubs and earned the admiration of everyone who worked with him," Goodell said. "As co-chair of the General Managers Advisory Committee, he helped guide our game and strengthen the NFL." Accorsi served as co-chair of the NFL General Managers Advisory Committee.

Accorsi spent 37 years working in the NFL. He served as a consultant for NFL teams after retiring from the Giants. Accorsi spent time at the NFL league office.

Accorsi served as general manager of the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1992. The Cleveland Browns made the playoffs five times during Accorsi's tenure as general manager. The Cleveland Browns reached the AFC Championship Game three times during Accorsi's tenure.

The Cleveland Browns won 12 games in the 1986 and 1987 seasons. Accorsi acquired Bernie Kosar for the Cleveland Browns.

Accorsi served as general manager of the Baltimore Colts from 1982 to 1983. As general manager of the Baltimore Colts (1982-1983), Accorsi oversaw the selection of John Elway with the first overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. Colts owner Jim Irsay traded John Elway to the Denver Broncos. Accorsi contributed to the script of the 1982 movie "Diner" while working for the Colts.

Accorsi was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He attended Wake Forest University. Accorsi served in the U.S. Army.

Accorsi worked as a sportswriter before joining the NFL. Accorsi worked for the Charlotte News in 1963. Accorsi interviewed Moonlight Graham at a minor league reunion in 1963. Accorsi worked as a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1968. Accorsi reported that the Philadelphia 76ers were trading Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles Lakers. Accorsi worked in public relations at Penn State and for the Baltimore Colts before rejoining the Colts as assistant general manager.

Why It Matters

Accorsi assembled nine playoff teams and six division champions during his 16 years as a general manager. His personnel decisions formed the core of two Super Bowl-winning franchises, establishing a sustained period of competitiveness for the Giants organization. The trade for Eli Manning represented a pivotal strategic maneuver that defined the latter half of his tenure and secured long-term stability at the quarterback position.

Timeline

The Giants reached Super Bowl XXXV during the 2000 NFL season and lost to the Baltimore Ravens on 2001-01-28. Accorsi was inducted into the Giants Ring of Honor alongside Tom Coughlin and Justin Tuck on 2016-11-14. The Giants inducted Accorsi into the team's Ring of Honor in 2016 on 2016-11-14.

What's New

Later reporting included additional tributes from key figures associated with Accorsi's tenure. Justin Tuck stated Accorsi drafted him and they were inducted into the Ring of Honor together.

"He had drafted me and then us going in the Ring of Honor together and then just our interactions throughout my career while at the Giants, he was a man who always did things the right way," Tuck said. "RIP Ernie Accorsi. Thank you for making me a New York Giant," he posted. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called Accorsi "one of the most respected football minds in NFL history." Additional context noted that Accorsi was the second general manager inducted into the New York Giants' Ring of Honor, following George Young. As general manager of the Baltimore Colts (1982-1983), Accorsi oversaw the selection of John Elway with the first overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft.