Longtime NFL executive Ernie Accorsi, the architect of the New York Giants team that won Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, has died at 84. The Giants announced he passed away Saturday surrounded by family. Accorsi spent parts of four decades in top front-office roles, serving as general manager for the Baltimore Colts (1982-1983), Cleveland Browns (1985-1992), and the Giants (1998-2006).

Under Accorsi, the Giants hired coach Tom Coughlin in 2004 and executed the draft-day trade for quarterback Eli Manning later that year. Coughlin called the Manning trade "one of the great moves of all time." Accorsi also drafted franchise icons Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Chris Snee, and Brandon Jacobs.

Giants owner John Mara praised Accorsi's vision and leadership, while NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called him "one of the most respected football minds in NFL history." Eli Manning credited Accorsi for believing in him and building championship teams. A Wake Forest graduate, Accorsi retired in 2006, one year before the Giants' historic upset of the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.