legendary nfl icon, frank gifford. nbc's hauta kotb has more. >> so, my surprise is here. >> a star on the field and later on screen, hall of fame football player and emmy-winning sports caster frank gifford passed away of natural causes on sunday morning. they released a statement saying in part, we rejoice in the extraordinary life he was privileged to live, and we feel grateful and blessed to have been loved by such an amazing human being. >> frank played offense. >> longtime partner al michaels paid tribute to the hall of famer and eight-time all-star at last night's hall of fame game. >> he was a very special man in so many ways. >> born in santa monica, california, he was a stand-out football player at the university of southern california, earning all-american honors for the trojans. >> teams up with frank gifford.