Sam Huff, an NFL Corridor of Famer and the co-founder of the West Virginia Breeders Classics, died Nov. 13. He was 87.
Huff was identified with dementia in 2013.
Robert Lee “Sam” Huff was born Oct. 4, 1934, in Edna, W.V. He grew up in Coal Camp No. 9 and his father and two of his brothers had been coal miners. He performed school soccer at West Virginia College earlier than being drafted in 1956 by the New York Giants, for which he performed center linebacker. Later that 12 months the Giants gained the NFL Championship Recreation. Huff later performed for the Washington Redskins from 1964-67 earlier than retiring. He got here again to play for Washington in 1969 earlier than retiring once more.
Along with being inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, Huff can be a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame. He was a five-time Professional Bowler, twice a first-team All Professional, and a member of the NFL’s Fifties All-Decade Group.
“Sam was one of many best Giants of all time,” mentioned John Mara, Giants’ president and CEO. “He was the center and soul of our protection in his period. He nearly single-handedly influenced the primary chants of ‘Protection, Protection’ in Yankee Stadium.”
Even after soccer, Huff remained a competitor and started breeding Thoroughbreds in 1986 along with his Sporting Life Farm in Middleburg, Va. His homebred Bursting Forth was a five-time stakes winner within the late Nineties, with victories within the Vinery Matchmaker (G3T) at Monmouth Park, All Alongside (G3T) at Colonial Downs, and Bewitch (G3T) at Keeneland topping her resume. Huff additionally gained the 2005 Sensible Halo Stakes at Laurel Park with homebred Jet Set Citi.
After his soccer profession, Huff was a commentator for each Giants and Washington soccer video games. He additionally labored in textile gross sales after which moved to gross sales throughout the Marriott Company, at which he grew to become the vice presidents of sports activities advertising.
In 1987, Huff helped begin the West Virginia Breeders’ Traditional at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. This 12 months’s Breeders’ Classics had been held Oct. 9.
“Most knew Sam Huff as an NFL Corridor of Famer. We knew him as an advocate of racing and co-founder of the (West Virginia Breeders’ Classics),” Charles City shared on social media Saturday. “… He’ll ceaselessly be woven into the material of West Virginia racing. Our deepest condolences to all who liked him.”
