What Happened to Robert Lee "Sam" Huff?
Sam Huff was a legendary American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins, renowned for revolutionizing the middle linebacker position and becoming one of the sport's first defensive stars. After his playing career, he had a long and successful career in broadcasting and business before passing away in 2021 at the age of 87, having lived with dementia for several years.
Quick Answer
Sam Huff, the iconic Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker, passed away on November 13, 2021, at the age of 87, after a battle with dementia. He is remembered for his groundbreaking career with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins, where he became one of the NFL's first celebrated defensive players. Post-football, Huff enjoyed a long career as a radio commentator for the Washington team and as a vice president for Marriott Hotels. His legacy continues to be honored, including a posthumous induction into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in 2025.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Edna Gas, West Virginia
Robert Lee "Sam" Huff was born in a coal mining camp in Edna Gas, West Virginia.
College Football Career at West Virginia University
Huff played as a guard and tackle for the West Virginia Mountaineers, earning All-America honors in 1955 and leading the team to a 31-7 record over four years.
Drafted by New York Giants and NFL Championship
Selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the New York Giants, Huff quickly became a pioneering middle linebacker and helped the Giants win the NFL Championship in his rookie season.
Featured on Time Magazine Cover
Huff became one of the first defensive players, and the second NFL player overall, to be featured on the cover of Time Magazine, highlighting his growing national celebrity.
Subject of CBS Special "The Violent World of Sam Huff"
Walter Cronkite hosted a CBS television special that wired Huff for sound during practices and games, further popularizing defensive football and Huff himself.
Traded to Washington Redskins
After eight seasons with the Giants, Huff was traded to the Washington Redskins, where he continued to be a key defensive player.
Final Retirement from NFL Playing
After being coaxed out of retirement by Vince Lombardi for one season, Huff officially retired from professional football after 14 seasons.
Joined Marriott Corporation
Following his playing career, Huff began a long and successful business career with Marriott Hotels and Resorts, eventually serving as a Vice President for Special Markets.
Began Broadcasting Career for Washington Football Team
Huff started a new chapter as a radio color commentator for the Washington football team, a role he would hold for nearly four decades.
Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame
Recognizing his collegiate achievements, Huff was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
Huff's revolutionary NFL career was honored with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Diagnosed with Dementia and Retired from Broadcasting
Huff was diagnosed with dementia and subsequently retired from his long-standing role as a radio analyst for the Washington football team.
Guardianship Dispute Reported
A public dispute over Huff's care and guardianship arose between his daughter and his life partner due to his declining health from dementia.
Passed Away at Age 87
Sam Huff died at a hospital in Winchester, Virginia, at the age of 87, after years of declining health due to dementia.
Posthumously Inducted into WVU College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame
Sam Huff was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame at West Virginia University, recognizing his enduring legacy.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Robert Lee "Sam" Huff, born on October 4, 1934, in Edna Gas, West Virginia, rose from humble beginnings in a coal mining camp to become one of the most influential defensive players in NFL history. After a standout collegiate career at West Virginia University, where he was an All-American guard and tackle, Huff was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 1956 NFL Draft. Initially struggling to find a position, he was famously convinced to stay by assistant coach Vince Lombardi and soon became the prototype for the modern middle linebacker in Tom Landry's innovative 4-3 defense.
Huff quickly gained national prominence for his ferocious play and memorable duels with star running backs like Jim Brown. He helped lead the Giants to the 1956 NFL Championship and five other title games, earning five Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors. His celebrity transcended sports, leading to a feature on the cover of Time Magazine in 1959 and a CBS television special, "The Violent World of Sam Huff," in 1960, which cemented his status as a defensive icon.
In 1964, Huff was controversially traded to the Washington Redskins, where he continued his impactful career for five more seasons, even being coaxed out of a brief retirement by Vince Lombardi in 1969 for one final year. After retiring from playing in 1969, Huff embarked on a successful second career. He joined Marriott Hotels and Resorts in 1971, eventually becoming a Vice President for Special Markets, managing relationships with traveling sports teams. He also became a beloved radio color commentator for the Washington football team, a role he held for 38 seasons until his retirement in 2013, broadcasting 770 games.
Huff's enduring legacy was recognized with inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982. In his later years, Huff faced health challenges, being diagnosed with dementia in 2013. This led to a public guardianship dispute in 2016 between his daughter and his life partner, highlighting the complexities of elder care. Sam Huff passed away on November 13, 2021, at the age of 87, in Winchester, Virginia.
As of April 15, 2026, Sam Huff's impact on football is still celebrated. In 2025, he was posthumously inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame at West Virginia University, further cementing his place as one of the institution's most revered athletes. His contributions to the game, both on and off the field, continue to be remembered and honored by fans and organizations alike.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Robert Lee "Sam" Huff made different choices?