Gifford was an eight-time NFL pro-bowler and led the New York Giants to the NFL Championship in 1956, the same year he was named the league's most valuable player.

In his 12 NFL seasons, Gifford carried the ball 840 times for 3,609 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Gifford's 367 career receptions went for 5,434 yards, good for 14.8 yards per completion. In total, Gifford found the end zone 77 times on the offensive side of the football.

Gifford also played defense. He tallied two career interceptions, 48 forced fumbles and 17 fumble recoveries. He scored one defensive touchdown, intercepting a Jack Scarbath pass.

In 1960, Gifford's career was cut short by a head injury sustained when was on the receiving end of a vicious blow from Chuck Bednarik of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gifford returned to football as part of the Monday Night Football broadcast team in 1971, joining Howard Cosell and Don Meredith in the booth. He would remain part of the Monday Night Football crew until 1997, later teaming up with Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf.