Tributes from the sports world to the legendary New York Giants running back and sports broadcaster Frank Gifford have abounded since news of his death became public on Sunday. He also received a tribute from the music world.
David Lee Roth, singer for legendary rock band Van Halen, talked about Gifford being one of his heroes during a concert at PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey as Roth performed the introduction to the band's song, "Ice Cream Man," the Asbury Park Press reported.
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Gifford, who played 12 seasons in the NFL, won the league's Most Valuable Player in 1956, the same year the Giants won the NFL championship. He appeared in eight Pro Bowls overall, at three different positions - running back, defensive back and wide receiver.
Gifford moved on to become the play-by-play announcer on Monday Night Football, joining Howard Cosell and Don Meredith on the iconic broadcast team.
"One of my heroes, Frank Gifford, died today," said Roth, sitting at a chair on center stage for the acoustic portion of the song. "Football has everything to do with who I am today and I would not be here without football."
Roth, who said he grew up playing Pop Warner football, added that alongside posters in his room of musicians Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix were posters of Gifford, Bart Starr and Vince Lombardi.
"The Van Halens know what I'm talking about," Roth told the crowd. "I wanted to be those guys, any of them.
"I'm going to play the rest of this for Frank and everything he stood for," Roth said. "Everything that makes America just super good, man."
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