Huff, "Sam" (Robert L.)
Football
b. Oct. 4, 1934, Morgantown, WV
A tackle at the University of West Virginia, Huff was moved to middle linebacker when he joined the NFL's New York Giants in 1956 and within a short time he was one of the best-known players in football, the subject of a 1960 CBS television special, "The Violent World of Sam Huff."
At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Huff had speed enough to be good on pass defense and the strength to stop the run. His duels with running backs Jimmy Brown of the Cleveland Browns and Jimmy Taylor of the Green Bay Packers were celebrated.
Huff was named an All-Pro in 1958 and 1959, and he played in five Pro Bowls. The Giants traded him to the Washington Redskins in 1964 and he played there through 1967. After one season of retirement he returned to the Redskins as a player-coach in 1969 and then retired for good.
During his 13 NFL seasons, Huff intercepted 30 passes, returning them for 381 yards, a 12.7 average, and 2 touchdowns. He also scored 3 touchdowns on fumble recoveries.