Sam Huff, a 1980 College Football Hall of Fame inductee who played guard and tackle at West Virginia from 1952-55, passed away Nov. 13 in Winchester, Virginia. He was 87.
 
"One of the toughest and fiercest competitors to ever play our sport, Sam Huff set the standard in the 1950s for generations to come," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "He was a true legend on the college gridiron who continued his phenomenal success at the professional level. We are deeply saddened by his loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and all the Mountaineer fans who will forever remember his accomplishments as one of their favorite native sons."
 
Born Oct. 4, 1934, Huff grew up in Edna Gas, West Virginia, starring on the gridiron at Farmington High School, less than 30 miles from Morgantown. He exhibited the grit and determination of his father and brothers who all worked in the coal mines. Huff considered Florida, North Carolina, Army and Pitt, but he opted to stay close to home and play for the Mountaineers.
 
In 1953, WVU posted an 8-1 regular season record, ranking in the top 10 for the first time in school history. In 1954, the team went 8-1 again. His senior season, Huff led the Mountaineers, earning All-American honors while also being recognized as an Academic All-American, and the team notched an 8-2 record. During his illustrious four-year career at West Virginia, the Mountaineers went 31-7. In 1955, he also served as co- captain in both the East-West Shrine and the Senior Bowl classics.
 
Following his days in Morgantown, Huff starred as a pro player for 16 years with the New York Giants (1956-64) and the Washington Football Team (1964-70), becoming one of the greatest linebackers the game has ever known. TIME magazine ran a cover story on Huff while he was with the Giants. And for good reason, as Huff, throughout his playing days, grabbed headlines as one of the toughest, meanest and hardest-hitting men ever to walk onto the gridiron.
 
Following his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980, Huff was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982. Huff was a member of West Virginia University's inaugural Hall of Fame induction class of 1991, and he was also the first WVU athlete in any sport to have his number, 75, retired.
 
During his time in Washington, Huff developed a relationship with hotelier Bill Marriott, who was an avid fan of the team. After retiring from football, Huff became a vice president with the hotel chain, managing relationships with traveling sports teams. Huff also became a radio football commentator, calling Giants, Redskins and WVU games, including with his Washington teammate and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Juergensen.
 
In 1970, Huff ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, but he lost in the West Virginia Democratic primary. In the 1980s, he raised thoroughbred horses in Middleburg, Virginia, and he helped establish the West Virginia Breeders' Cup in Charles Town, West Virginia.
 
He is survived by two children from his marriage to Mary Helen Fletcher, Catherine Huff Myers and Joseph D. Huff, three grandchildren and a great grandson. He was predeceased by a son, Robert Lee "Sam" Huff Jr., in 2018.