Ernest "Ernie" Accorsi, a revered figure in professional football and a lifelong sports enthusiast, passed away Saturday night at the age of 84 following a brief battle with cancer. Known for his deep knowledge of sports, engaging storytelling, and long tenure as a general manager in the NFL, Accorsi left an indelible mark on the teams he served and the broader sports community.
Born in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Accorsi’s passion for sports developed early, particularly for the Baltimore Colts, a team he would eventually work for in various executive roles. His career in the NFL spanned multiple decades and franchises, including a significant period as general manager of the New York Giants, where he played a central role in shaping the team that would eventually claim a Super Bowl title. Accorsi is often credited with orchestrating key moves, most notably trading up in the draft to acquire quarterback Eli Manning, a decision that Manning himself acknowledged with yearly expressions of gratitude.
Before ascending to front-office prominence, Accorsi began his sports career as a reporter. While working for the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1968, he broke a major story about the trade of basketball star Wilt Chamberlain. This early experience highlighted his knack for sports journalism, which stayed with him throughout his life. Known among colleagues as a master storyteller, Accorsi was celebrated for his ability to combine historical insights, personal anecdotes, and humor in conversations, creating memorable interactions with players, executives, and fans alike.
Accorsi’s legacy includes his work with the Colts, where he famously selected quarterback John Elway with the first overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. Despite Elway’s decision to initially reject playing for Baltimore—threatening to pursue a baseball career instead—Accorsi stood behind the choice, viewing Elway as transformative for the franchise. The subsequent trade of Elway to the Denver Broncos by Colts owner Robert Irsay was a painful moment in Accorsi’s career. Later, as the general manager of the Cleveland Browns, Accorsi acquired quarterback Bernie Kosar. Despite Kosar leading the Browns to multiple AFC Championship games, Elway’s Broncos denied them Super Bowl advancement, a rivalry Accorsi recalled in detail.
Accorsi’s influence extended beyond football. He had a well-documented affection for baseball and golf and was known to reference obscure sports history and figures, including his connection to baseball player Moonlight Graham, immortalized in the film “Field of Dreams.” Additionally, Accorsi’s input was incorporated into popular culture; for example, he contributed questions for a pivotal scene in the film “Diner.”
Throughout his life, Accorsi maintained close relationships within the sports world, including his mentor-mentee connection with George Young, former Giants general manager, and his respect for the Giants’ owner Wellington Mara. Even after retiring in 2006, Accorsi remained linked to the Giants organization, receiving a Super Bowl ring for his foundational contributions to the team’s championship run.
Accorsi’s colleagues and friends remember him as a man of intellect, humor, and loyalty. His favorite quote from poet Robert Browning, “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?” aptly captured his approach to life and career. For decades, Ernie Accorsi reached for greatness and in many ways, achieved it, leaving behind a lasting legacy in American sports.