Ernie Accorsi cause of death: The executive behind Eli Manning’s draft-day Giants trade dies at 84

Ernie Accorsi ’s fingerprints remained on the New York Giants long after he walked away from the front office, which is why his death at 84 resonated so deeply across the organization Sunday.

The longtime NFL executive died Saturday surrounded by his family, according to the Giants, with the New York Post reported that Accorsi had been battling cancer.

Accorsi spent nearly four decades in the NFL and served as the Giants ’ general manager from 1998 through 2006. His tenure included two NFC East titles, four playoff appearances and a trip to Super Bowl XXXV, but his most important work became even clearer after he retired.

He hired Tom Coughlin in 2004. That same year, he made the aggressive draft-day move that brought Eli Manning to New York. Those decisions became central to the Giants teams that later beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.

Eli Manning never forgot who brought him to New York

Manning ’s acquisition became Accorsi ’s defining move. The San Diego Chargers selected Manning first overall in 2004 before trading him to the Giants in a deal built around Philip Rivers and draft picks.

Accorsi had become convinced during Manning ’s time at Ole Miss that he could be New York’s long-term quarterback.

“I call Ernie every draft week for the last 12 years, maybe longer than that, and just thank him for making the trade and believing in me and bringing me to the New York Giants,” Manning said. “I know he was the believer in me and kind of the reason I got here.”

Coughlin , meanwhile, said Accorsi’s conviction never wavered.

“Ernie will always be remembered, and I say this out of great respect, he's the guy that made the trade for Eli Manning,” Coughlin said. “That will go down in Giants history as one of the great moves of all time.”

Influence stretched beyond the Giants

Accorsi ’s NFL career began with the Baltimore Colts , where he worked his way from public relations director to general manager. He later led the Cleveland Browns before joining George Young’s Giants staff in 1994.

Across his executive career, he helped draft players including Bernie Kosar, Eric Metcalf, Jeremy Shockey, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck . Tuck remembered Accorsi as more than a personnel evaluator.

Tuck remembered Accorsi as more than a personnel evaluator. “He was a man who always did things the right way,” Tuck said.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called him “one of the most respected football minds in NFL history,” praising his “integrity, common sense and commitment to doing what was best for football.”

Accorsi was inducted into the Giants Ring of Honor in 2016 alongside Coughlin and Tuck . At that ceremony, he delivered a line that now feels especially fitting.

“I want to thank the good Lord for making me a New York Giant,” Accorsi said.