Even though he has already been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Bakersfield College and Bakersfield High School alumnus Frank Gifford was very proud to receive the Hometown Hall of Famers plaque at BHS on Nov. 9.
“It means a lot to me, and I think it’s a wonderful idea,” said Gifford on receiving the plaque. “I’m just very proud of getting this plaque. I knew that it was going on and I just thought it was a great idea because it goes to the source of where the talent comes from. You get an idea of what it takes. Not just the athletic skills and abilities, but also it takes a community-backed group to make it happen. The enthusiasm expressed in the community shows what a difference it makes to a player and especially at the high school level.”
Gifford explained what it felt to come back to his hometown.
“I love it every time I come back because this is home,” said Gifford. “I really appreciate that when I come back I’m treated like I’m back home.
“I’ve always had great support from Bakersfield. Even when I was playing and I hadn’t been here for years, someone would show up at Yankee stadium and recognize me from when I used to play here. This is a wonderful city with wonderful people.”
The Hometown Hall of Famers plaque was presented by current BHS coach Paul Golla and the plaque will remain at BHS to inspire future student athletes.
Gifford played running back at BHS from 1944-47 and then went on to play for the Bakersfield College football team in ’48. After one year at BC, he went on to play for the University of Southern California from 1949-51. He would go on to be drafted by the New York Giants and build a hall of fame legacy there by being an All-Pro in three different positions and league MVP in 1957. He retired after 13 years in the NFL and seven years later joined ABC’s Monday Night Football commentating cast from 1971-’97. In 1977, Gifford was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
George Veras president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises, commented on Gifford.
“He is how you see he is,” said Veras. “He’s warm and he’s engaging. He’s always treated all of us with respect and you hear Frank and some of the other hall of famers talk about it how much their communities meant to them. They faced adversities in their communities and it wasn’t a smooth transition for them, but they all give credit that their communities stuck with them on their road to the Hall of Fame.”
Gifford commented on what he’s taken the most out of his career as a player and as a commentator.
“I think what I’ve taken away from that is the friends you meet along the way,” he said. “Particularly as a player, you remain friends the rest of your life, so it’s the friendships you make.”