Friends and business acquaintances gathered on December 13 to celebrate the life of Sam Huff, the Pro Football Hall of Famer, who also had a significant impact on the Thoroughbred industry in West Virginia. Huff died on November 13 in Winchester, Va.
“Sam Huff saved the livestock and thoroughbred racing industry in West Virginia,” West Virginia Racing Commission President Ken Lowe said at Monday’s gathering of 150 acquaintances at the Middleburg Community Center in Middleburg. , Va.
BloodHorse: NFL Hall of Famer, Racing Advocate Huff dies at 87
Lowe read an official resolution honoring Huff from the West Virginia Racing Commission read in part:
“Sam Huff’s efforts have made the West Virginia Breeders Classics a premier event, bringing in local and national television to showcase the State of West Virginia, Jefferson County, Charles Town and the people at work. The West Virginia Racing Commission wishes to issue this resolution to honor Sam Huff for his unwavering support, contribution, and dedication to the racing industry. Thoroughbred car, West Virginia State and West Virginia State Racing Commission.”
In addition to starting the West Virginia Breeders Classics, Huff and Holden have co-hosted an syndicated weekly radio show called “Trackside” for years on their Middleburg Television Network.
The 35th edition of the West Virginia Breeders Classics, an event co-founded by Holden and Huff in 1987, is being held on October 9, 2021. The event has now grossed more than $29 million for breeders and horsemen of West Virginia. In recent years, Huff has been honorary president; Holden remains the chairman.
Lowe was among the speakers at the ceremony, which was held just a few fireplaces from the ranch where Huff lives with longtime partner Carol Holden.
Among them was JW Marriott, Jr., the 89-year-old executive chairman of Marriott International, who respectfully reiterated Huff’s long relationship with the company as vice president of special markets . He told a story about Huff’s persistent request for one of the parking spots at Marriott’s headquarters that were originally reserved for Marriott board members.
Soon after Mr. Marriott granted Huff’s wish, several other vice presidents complained. So Mr. Marriott told complainers that those positions were reserved “for board members and anyone else in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Leonard Shapiro, a former sports writer and editor at The Washington Post who co-authored Huff’s autobiography “Tough Stuff,” spoke about Huff’s upbringing in a coal mining camp near Farmington, W. .Va.
Frank Herzog, one of Huff’s longtime radio partners on Washington’s National Football League team, shared stories of their time together in newspaper boxes around the country. (Huff spent more than 30 years as a broadcaster for the group.)
Keith McIntosh, the regional representative for Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, also made some remarks to the attendees.
The service also featured a video highlighting Huff’s coal mining experience, his popularity as a member of the New York Giants, and his cover story in TIME magazine.
Also in attendance was trainer Graham Motion, who trained Huff to win his bets with ease Break out .
The service concluded with some personal remarks from Robert Lee Huff III, Huff’s grandson, and music provided by the gospel choir of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church.
Donations on behalf of Huff may be made to Aftercare Charles Town, PO Box 136, Ranson, WV 25438. The 501(c)(3) organization is responsible for the retraining of Thoroughbred racehorses that have raced at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
