Sam Huff

Sam Huff was a dominant linebacker whose ferocious play and high-profile persona helped define the National Football League in the late 1950s and 1960s. A central figure for the New York Giants and later the Washington Redskins, his career was immortalized by a landmark CBS documentary and his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Beyond his on-field achievements, he enjoyed a successful second career as a color commentator for the Redskins radio network.

Early life and college career

Born in Morgantown, West Virginia, he was raised in the nearby mining community of Farmington and attended Farmington High School. He played college football at West Virginia University under coach Art Lewis, initially as a tackle on both sides of the ball. His standout performances for the Mountaineers, including in the 1954 Sugar Bowl, earned him All-American honors and paved the way for his selection by the New York Giants in the 1956 NFL Draft.

Professional football career

Giants head coach Jim Lee Howell and defensive assistant Tom Landry converted him to middle linebacker, a move that revolutionized the position. He became the anchor of a legendary defense that included teammates like Andy Robustelli, Dick Modzelewski, and Roosevelt Brown. He was instrumental in the Giants' victory in the 1956 NFL Championship Game and their subsequent appearances in the 1958, 1959, and 1961 title games, famous contests against the Baltimore Colts and Green Bay Packers. Traded to the Washington Redskins in 1964, he provided immediate leadership and was named team captain, helping to revitalize the franchise under coach Bill McPeak.

Broadcasting career

Following his retirement, he transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, joining the Redskins radio network as a color commentator. His partnership with play-by-play announcer Frank Herzog and later Sonny Jurgensen became iconic in the Washington, D.C. area, spanning nearly four decades. His insightful, passionate, and famously partisan commentary made him a beloved figure for a generation of fans, during eras that included the coaching tenures of Joe Gibbs and the team's victories in Super Bowl XVII, Super Bowl XXII, and Super Bowl XXVI.

Legacy and honors

His legacy was cemented early by the 1960 CBS television documentary "The Violent World of Sam Huff", which introduced the inner workings of professional football to a national audience. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, with his presenter being Wellington Mara. His number 75 is honored by the Washington Commanders, and he is a member of the New York Giants Ring of Honor and the Washington Commanders Ring of Fame. Further accolades include his selection to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and his inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame and the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal life

After his football career, he remained active in business and charitable endeavors. He worked in the executive training program for the Marriott Corporation and later served as a vice president for the Riggs National Bank in Washington, D.C.. He was married to his wife, Mary, for over six decades. In his later years, he was an advocate for retired players' health issues and remained a frequent presence at events for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and West Virginia University until his passing in Winchester, Virginia.

Category:American football linebackers Category:New York Giants players Category:Washington Commanders players Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Category:West Virginia Mountaineers football players