Sam Huff
Inducted:
1982
Player Stats
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
Born:
October 4, 1934
Edna, West Virginia, U.S.
Died:
November 13, 2021
Winchester, Virginia, U.S.
Position:
Linebacker
College:
West Virginia (1952–1955)
Sam Huff, was one of the NFL’s most formidable linebackers. Playing primarily for the New York Giants from 1956 to 1964 and briefly for the Washington Redskins, Huff was known for his physicality, intelligence, and ability to read offenses. He became the centerpiece of the Giants’ defense, helping them reach the NFL Championship Game multiple times and famously dominating in the 1958 “Greatest Game Ever Played” against the Baltimore Colts.
Huff earned six Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro honors, pioneering the middle linebacker position and defining modern defensive schemes. Over his career, he recorded numerous interceptions and fumble recoveries, while his leadership inspired teammates and intimidated opponents. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, Huff left a lasting legacy as one of the first linebackers to achieve superstar status, shaping the role for generations of defensive players to come.
Huff's Awards and Honors
- 6× Pro Bowl selection
- 3× First-Team All-Pro
- Key player in 1958 NFL Championship Game (“The Greatest Game Ever Played”)
- Pioneered the middle linebacker role
NFL Records
- First middle linebacker to achieve superstar status
- Defined defensive schemes with intelligence and leadership
- Integral part of Giants’ championship-contending teams in the late 1950s
- Inspired generations of linebackers with physicality and field awareness
NFL Teams
As a player:
New York Giants (1956–1963)
Washington Redskins (1964–1967, 1969)
As Coach:
Washington Redskins (1969-1970)
NHL Draft:
1956: 3rd round, 30th overall
New York Giants
Number Worn:
70
NFL Stats
NFL Seasons:
1956–1969
Games Played:
168
Interceptions:
30
Interception Yards:
381
Touchdowns:
5
Fumble recoveries:
17
Pro Bowls:
6
First-Team All-Pro:
3