The Giants announced that former general manager Ernie Accorsi passed away Saturday at age 84 while surrounded by family.

Accorsi served as GM from 1998-2006, helping hire legendary coach Tom Coughlin and making the iconic trade to draft QB Eli Manning during his tenure.

He was born in Hershey, PA on Oct. 29, 1941 and graduated from Wake Forrest University in 1963.

Prior to joining New York, Accorsi was the Baltimore Colts assistant GM from 1977-1981, their GM from 1982-1983, and the Cleveland Browns executive vice president and GM from 1985-1992. He started with the Giants in 1994 as the assistant GM to George Young until taking over for him in 1998.

Overall, Accorsi spent 37 years working in the NFL, getting his start as the Colts public relations director in 1970 and later serving on NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle's staff in 1975.

His family, along with Giants president John Mara, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, released the following statements:

The Accorsi Family:

"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. 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."

Mara:

"Ernie helped shape the course of New York Giants history through his vision, leadership and unwavering belief in building a championship organization. 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."

Goodell:

"Ernie Accorsi was one of the most respected football minds in NFL history and a dear friend whose wisdom and perspective I valued tremendously. Throughout his remarkable career, he shaped championship-caliber clubs and earned the admiration of everyone who worked with him.

"Ernie's impact extended beyond the teams he served. As co-chair of the General Managers Advisory Committee, he helped guide our game and strengthen the NFL. His integrity, common sense and commitment to doing what was best for football made him an invaluable voice. Ernie was thoughtful, humble, and he cared deeply about the people in our league. He never lost sight of the relationships that make football special and we will all greatly miss him."

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