Gifford Nielsen

Gifford Nielsen

Date of birth:	October 25, 1954 (1954-10-25)
Place of birth:	Provo, Utah
Career information
Position(s):	Quarterback
College:	Brigham Young
NFL Draft:	1978 / Round: 3 / Pick 73
Organizations
As player:
1978-1983	Houston Oilers
Playing stats at NFL.com
College Football Hall of Fame

Gifford Nielsen (born Stanley Gifford Nielsen) is a former NFL quarterback who played for the Houston Oilers. He announced his retirement as the sports director of KHOU-TV in Houston, TX, on March 30, 2009. His last newscast was Tuesday, March 31, 2009.

High School Career

Gifford grew up in Provo, Utah and attended Provo High School, playing as the schools quarterback before graduating and going across the street to BYU.

College career

Gifford was an All-American quarterback at Brigham Young University (BYU) under head coach LaVell Edwards.

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

NFL career

Nielsen was selected in the third round of the 1978 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers, the team with which he spent his entire NFL career. Nielsen played six seasons as a part-time quarterback. He served as backup to Dan Pastorini in 1978-79 and to Ken Stabler in 1980-81. He played the most games in his last two seasons, 1982-83, when he shared quarterbacking duties with Archie Manning and Oliver Luck. From 1984-87, he served as a color commentator on Oilers radio broadcasts.

Church service

Gifford Nielsen served as President of the Houston Texas South Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held that calling since 2009, but was recently called as an Area Seventy.

Scouting 100 year Anniversary

Giff Nielsen was the master of ceremonies at the "100 years of scouting" celebration at Minute Maid Park in Texas.

External links

• KHOU page