The family of late Pro Football Hall of Famer and broadcaster Frank Gifford has confirmed that he suffered from a degenerative brain disease.

Gifford's family says a team of pathologists studied his brain and diagnosed him with CTE, the same disease a number of former athletes have been diagnosed with.

His family says the diagnosis confirmed their suspicions that Gifford was suffering from the effects of head trauma after a 12-year football career.

Gifford was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1956, when he led the Giants to a league championship.

He later went on to become the voice of Monday Night Football in 1971.

Gifford's wife Kathie Lee, a host for the Today show on NBC, says the family will continue to support on-field changes to improve player safety.

Gifford died in August at the age of 84.