EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Sam Huff, who played the first eight years of his Hall of Fame career with the Giants and was a charter member of the franchise's Ring of Honor, passed away Saturday at a hospital in Winchester, Va. He was 87.
Huff had been diagnosed with dementia in 2013.
Huff also spent five seasons with Washington and spent more than 30 years as a broadcaster for the team.
As a rookie, Huff helped lead the Giants to the 1956 NFL championship, including a resounding 47-7 victory against the Chicago Bears in the title game in Yankee Stadium. Huff anchored a defense that also helped the Giants reach the championship game in 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962 and 1963., but they came up short each time.
Huff was a five-time Pro Bowler, a two-time first-team All-Pro and four-time second-team selection, and a member of the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Giants' Ring of Honor in 2010.
Huff became one of the NFL's first highly publicized defensive players. In 1959, Huff was named the NFL's top linebacker and was the second pro football player to be featured on the cover of Time magazine, after Detroit Lions quarterback Bobby Layne five years earlier. Huff was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
"Sam was one of the greatest Giants of all time," said John Mara, the Giants' President and Chief Executive Officer. "He was the heart and soul of our defense in his era. He almost single-handedly influenced the first chants of 'Defense, Defense' in Yankee Stadium."
"The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Sam Huff," Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said in a statement. "He was an outstanding player on the gridiron and an even greater man off the field. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sam's family during this difficult time. The Hall of Fame will forever guard his legacy. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Sam's memory."
Hall of Fame linebacker and Giants Ring of Honor inductee Sam Huff passed away at age 87
Sam Huff, former player with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins, holds a bust of himself after being inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday, August 7, 1982. (PA Photo/Amy Sancetta)
FILE - New York Giants linebacker Sam Huff poses for a photo at the NFL football team's training camp in Fairfield, Conn., in September 1963. Huff, the hard-hitting Hall of Fame linebacker who helped the Giants reach six NFL title games from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s and later became a popular player and announcer in Washington, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. He was 87. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)
New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff gestures toward the crowd during the halftime show of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Sam Huff, New York Giants linebacker, is congratulated, by Giants' coach Jim Lee Howell, left, prior to announcement that Huff has been named professional Football Lineman of the year in the Annual Associated Press poll Dec. 23, 1959 in New York City. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
Defensive backfield coach Tom Landry holds ball as New York Giant defense men huddle Nov. 6, 1958 during workout at Yankee stadium in New York City. They will be called on Nov. 9 to stop the passing and running attack of the undefeated baltimore colts. From left to right are; kneeling, linebacker Harland Svare, middle guard Sam Huff and back Cliff Livingston. Standing, backs Carl Karilivacz, Jim Patton, Em Tonnell, Linebacker Bill Svoboda, back Lindon crow and landry. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
Sam Huff, right, former All-Pro linebacker for the New York Giants, will tackle a new position as he joins the broadcast team of radio station WNEW in New York, for the 1972 season, as announced at a June 13, 1972 news conference in New York. With him are Giants owner Wellington Mara, center, and coach Alex Webster. (AP Photo)
Giant defenders are Jimmy Patton (20), Jim Katcavage (75), Sam Huff (70), Rosey Grier (76) and Dick Lynch (22). (AP Photo)
New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff looks to the officials during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in New York, in the 1960s. Exact date is unknown. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
FILE -New York Giants' linebacker Sam Huff, left, tackles Green Bay Packers' Jim Taylor (31) during an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sept. 4, 1962. The Packers won, 20-17. Huff, the hard-hitting Hall of Fame linebacker who helped the Giants reach six NFL title games from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s and later became a popular player and announcer in Washington, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. He was 87. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - Former New York Giants linebacker Sam Huff waves to the fans as he stands behind his Hall of Fame bust during the halftime show of an NFL football game between the Giants and the Denver Broncos on Sept. 15, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. Huff, the hard-hitting Hall of Fame linebacker who helped the Giants reach six NFL title games from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s and later became a popular player and announcer in Washington, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. He was 87. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun File)
Sam Huff waves during a ceremony to honor him in the first half of an NCAA college football game between West Virginia and James Madison Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Landover, Md. Huff played for West Virginia and went on to play in the the NFL for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
FILE - Washington Redskins' Sam Huff poses in front of his jersey in the locker room in Washington in December 1967. Huff announced his retirement at season's end. Huff later returned to play with the Redskins. Huff, the hard-hitting Hall of Fame linebacker who helped the Giants reach six NFL title games from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s and later became a popular player and announcer in Washington, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. He was 87. (AP Photo, File)
Linebacker Sam Huff, who was traded from the New York Giants to the Washington Redskins, shown with his family in their Flushing, New York home on April 10, 1964. They are, left to right: wife Mary; son J.D., 4; Sam; Cathy, 6; Sammy Lee, 12. Along with rookie lineman George Seals, Huff was exchanged for the Redskins' defensive end Andy Stynchula and halfback Dick James. (AP Photo)
A detail view of former players jerseys of New York Giants Sam Huff (70) and Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitis (19) is on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame area of the NFL Experience prior to the upcoming NFL Super Bowl LII football game between the Philadelphia Eagles against the New England Patriots, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, in Minneapolis. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers' fullback Jim Taylor (31) takes to the air as he goes through the New York Giants defense for a five-yard gain in third period of NFL championship game at New York's Yankee Stadium, Dec. 30, 1962. Identifiable Packers are Fred Thurston (63), Norm Masters (78) and Jim Ringo 951). Giants are Andy Robustelli (81), Dick Modzelewski (77) and Sam Huff (70). Green Bay won, 16-7. (AP Photo)
Longtime New York Giants and Washington Redskins linebacker Sam Huff, left, poses with his Pro Football Hall of Fame presenter and former coach Tom Landry following his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 7, 1982. (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
Washington Redskins and New York Giants linebacker Sam Huff, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, on the sidelines August 23, 2002 in Tampa, Florida. The Redskins defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40 - 10 during the third week of pre-season. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Sam Huff, center, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., left, and others, watch a video tribute to Huff, as he was honored during a ceremony in the first half of an NCAA college football game between West Virginia and James Madison Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Landover, Md. Huff played for West Virginia and went on to play in the the NFL for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
A detail view of former players jerseys of New York Giants Sam Huff (70) and Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitis (19) is on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame area of the NFL Experience prior to the upcoming NFL Super Bowl LII football game between the Philadelphia Eagles against the New England Patriots, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, in Minneapolis. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Retired NFL linebacker Sam Huff watches warmups before an NFL football game in 1985. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Former New York Giants linebacker Sam Huff waves to the fans as he stands behind his Hall of Fame bust during the halftime show of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
San Francisco 49ers right end Monty Stickles (85) gets up in the air to snatch this 13 yard pass in New York Giants' 14 yard line in first quarter at San Francisco's Kexar Stadium, August 19, 1962. Coming in to stop stickles are Giants' defenders Jim Patton (20), Allan Webb (21) AND Sam Huff (70). On next play 49ers scored. (AP Photo)
Sam Huff, veteran linebacker, is downcast during a Washington news conference on Dec. 12, 1967, in which he announced he would play his last pro football game on December 17. Otto Graham, coach of the Washington Redskins, is at left. Huff has been with the Redskins for four years after eight with the New York Giants. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty)
FILE - In this Sept. 4, 1962, file photo, New York Giants' linebacker Sam Huff, left, tackles Green Bay Packers' Jim Taylor (31) during an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis. On Saturday, the 77-year-old Huff will be honored during West Virginia's NCAA college football game against James Madison of the Championship Subdivision. (AP Photo/File)
Sam Huff, left, former linebacker of the New York Giants, ended his one-year retirement in Washington on Feb. 13, 1969 when it was announced that he will rejoin the Redskins as a linebacker a coach. Vince Lombardi, who joined the Washington National Football League team as head coach and part owner, told the news conference "we both came out of retirement in the same year." (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty)
New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff gestures toward the crowd during the halftime show of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Linebacker Sam Huff of the New York Giants, at the team's training camp in Fairfield, Connecticut on Sept. 3, 1963. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Four National Football League stars receive citations, in Washington on May 18, 1966, for providing entertainment to the armed forces during a tour of Vietnam in winter. From left: Lt. Gen. James K. Woolnough, presenting awards on behalf of the Defense Department; Sam Huff of the Washington Redskins; Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts; Willie Davis of the Green Bay Packers; and Frank Gifford, formerly with the New York Giants and now a television broadcaster. (AP Photo/Bob Schutz)
Sam Huff,former linebacker of the New York Giants, ended his one-year retirement in Washington on Feb. 13, 1969 when it was announced that he will rejoin the Redskins as a linebacker a coach. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty)
Sam Huff, 12-year veteran of the National Football League, stands on the sidelines as he watches his Washington Redskins teammates and the New Orleans Saints in the final play of game in Washington on Dec. 18, 1967. The 33-year-old Huff announced that Sunday's game would be his last as he was retiring after eight years with the New York Giants and four with Washington. New Orleans won 30-14. (AP Photo)
Sam Huff, foreground, and Don Chandler, both New York Giants' backs, relax in dressing room at Yankee Stadium in New York on Dec. 11, 1963. Giants will play the Steelers at the stadium on December 15 for the right to represent the Eastern division against the Western division of the National Football League. (AP Photo/Eddie Adams)
Linebacker Sam Huff, who has been traded by the New York Giants to the Washington Redskins, is with his wife Mary at their Flushing, New York home on April 10, 1964. (AP Photo/Joe Farrington)
Dick Bielski of Philadelphia Eagles sees his field goal try go awry from the 30-yard line in first half against New York Giants at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Oct. 18, 1959. Giants won, 24-7, in their first home game of National Football League season. Holding for Bielski is quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. Giant defenders are Lindon Crow, coming in on kicker from right, and Sam Huff, trying for hand block of ball at left. Behind Huff is Eagles' fullback Clarence Peaks. (AP Photo)
Fullback Chuck Mercein of the New York Giants, 29, carries ball through what seems to be a wide opening in third quarter at New York's Yankee Stadium on Oct. 16, 1966. This play ended in no gain as Gregg Larson, 53, goes down and Washington Redskins back Sam Huff, 70, moves in to make the tackle. Other identifiable Redskin is end Carl Kammerer, 66. Giants took the game, 13-10. (AP Photo)
Linebacker Sam Huff, who has been traded by the New York Giants to the Washington Redskins, is in his Flushing, New York home on April 10, 1964. (AP Photo/Joe Farrington)
Sam Huff sits beneath his No. 70 jersey in the Washington Redskins locker room in Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 1967. Huff announced that he will end his professional career Dec. 17 as the NFL team closes its season. The 33-year-old defensive athlete played eight years with the New York Giants before his four years with the Redskins. (AP Photo)
Sam Huff, New York Giants linebacker, is congratulated, by Giants' coach Jim Lee Howell, left, prior to announcement that Huff has been named professional Football Lineman of the year in the Annual Associated Press poll Dec. 23, 1959 in New York City. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
Washington Redskins defensive captain Sam Huff poses in front of his jersey in the locker room in Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 1967. Huff announced he will retire Dec. 17, after his team's final game of the year. Huff, 33, one of professional football's all-time linebackers and five times an All-National Football League selection, has spent the past four years with Washington following an eight year stint with the New York Giants. (AP Photo)
Sam Huff, second from left, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., second from right, and others hold a framed jersey aloft as Huff was honored during a ceremony in the first half of an NCAA college football game between West Virginia and James Madison Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Landover, Md. Huff played for West Virginia and went on to play in the the NFL for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Four National Football League stars receive citations, in Washington on May 18, 1966, for providing entertainment to the armed forces during a tour of Vietnam in winter. From left: Lt. Gen. James K. Woolnough, presenting awards on behalf of the Defense Department; Sam Huff of the Washington Redskins; Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts; Willie Davis of the Green Bay Packers; and Frank Gifford, formerly with the New York Giants and now a television broadcaster. (AP Photo/Bob Schutz)
Sam Huff, star of the New York Giants, has himself and his family a winter vacation in upstate New York on Feb. 28, 1964. From left, are Sam Jr., J.D., and Kathy. (AP Photo)
Huff played in 168 regular-season games with 159 starts, including 102 games with 99 starts for the Giants. He intercepted 30 passes, recovered 17 fumbles and was credited with 29.0 sacks (14.5 for the Giants) long before they became an official statistic in 1982. He played in 150 consecutive games before an ankle injury ended the streak in 1967.
Huff also played in seven playoff games with six starts.
The Giants selected Huff in the third round of the 1956 NFL Draft from West Virginia University, where he played guard and tackle. Following some position experimentation in training camp, Huff was inserted at middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense, where he became an immediate star.
Huff won recognition for his great individual efforts against the premier running backs of his era, including Jim Brown of Cleveland, Rick Casares of Chicago and Alan Ameche of Baltimore. He uttered one of the most famous quotes in pro football history when asked how to stop Brown, arguably the best back who ever lived. "All you can do is grab hold, hang on and wait for help," Huff said.
Huff was traded to Washington prior to the 1964 season and was selected to his final Pro Bowl in his first season in burgundy and gold. He blamed coach Allie Sherman for trading him and dismantling the Giants' outstanding defense. "As long as I live," he wrote in his autobiography, "I will never forgive Allie Sherman for trading me." But Huff remained close to the Giants and always spoke with great fondness about the Mara family, particularly Wellington Mara.
Huff first left the NFL following the 1967 season. But in 1969, he was coaxed out of retirement by new Washington coach Vince Lombardi, the five-time champion and Hall of Famer who was a Giants assistant coach when Huff began his career.
After one final season, Huff retired for good. He enjoyed a long career with the Marriott Corporation before retiring in 1998.
Huff also stayed close to football. He spent three seasons as a color commentator for the Giants radio team and then moved on in the same capacity for the Washington radio broudcast until his retirement at the end of the 2012 season. He and his partners, former Redskins teammate Sonny Jurgensen and play-by-play announcers Frank Herzog (1979–2004) and Larry Michael (2005–2012), were beloved by legions of Washington fans.
Robert Lee Huff was born Oct. 4, 1934, in Edna Gas, W.Va., where he grew up in Coal Camp No. 9, the fourth of sixth children. His father and two of his brothers worked in the coal mines.
Huff became known as Sam at an early age, although "to this day I have no idea how I got my real name, or the nickname," he said in his 1988 autobiography, written with Washington Post sports reporter Leonard Shapiro.
According to the Post, he was an all-state high school football player and, during his senior year, married classmate Mary Fletcher, with whom he had three children and later divorced. When he received an athletic scholarship to West Virginia University, he became the first member of his family to attend college.
Huff was an All-American offensive lineman while helping his Mountaineers to a 31-7 record during his four years at West Virginia. He was also the team's kicker and a catcher on the university's baseball team, showing enough talent to sign a professional contract with the Cleveland Indians.
But it was in football where he made his greatest and most enduring legacy.
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