Tag: Sam Huff radio broadcaster

Washington great Sam Huff has Estate set for auction

The Washington legend’s estate sale is scheduled for next month.

Robert Lee “Sam” Huff, Hall of Fame linebacker and radio broadcast commentator for the Washington Redskins is having his estate sold via auction.

The Loudoun County Fairgrounds will host the event on March 10, and those interested in the Hall of Famer’s estate memorabilia will be able to bid in person or online.

Huff spent his first eight NFL seasons with the NY Giants (1956-1963) and his last five with the Redskins (1964-67, 69). Huff, voted into the NFL’s Hall of Fame in 1982, also enjoyed 38 seasons as part of the Washington radio broadcasting team (1975-2012).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyf9mf_yGx8

There is much of Huff’s memorabilia that will be made available. A few of the items are:

Haggar Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Dress Jacket, Size 46 Long Gold Color, Custom made for Sam Huff class of 1982

Washington Redskins ceremonial jersey, # 70, Size 50 Long, Last jersey worn on field for ceremony.

“Greatest Game Ever Played” Photo Signed Sam Huff & Johnny Unitas Size 8 x 10. Photo from the 1958 NFL Championship game between the Colts and the Giants. Unitas is throwing a pass, and Huff is on the middle left of the photograph.

Sam Huff’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring Size 11. Weights 60 grams. Total diamond weight of 1 3/4 carats. Artcarved 14k gold. Kay Jewelers presented Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring in 2013 to every living Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Framed Picture of Sam Huff and John F Kennedy, JFK Plate, Senate of VA Resolution #182 Also, framed letter of requesting presence at dedication

Damewood Auctioneers has been contracted by the Estate of Sam Huff to offer his lifetime collection of NFL, West Virginia University, New York Giants and Washington Redskins memorabilia.

Where: Loudoun County Fairgrounds, 17558 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg, VA 20132.

When: Friday, March 10, 2023, 10:00 am.

Preview: Thursday, March 9, 2023, 12 pm – 6 pm

Frank Herzog: ‘A professional, a winner’

Part four of our interview with Frank Herzog: “The broadcaster of DC champions.”

Washington trailed Miami 17-13 in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XVII, facing a 4th & 1 at the Miami 42.

This is the fourth of five installments in our Commanders Wire feature on Washington broadcast legend Frank Herzog.

Part one.     Part two.     Part Three

January 30, 1983, Frank Herzog was in his fourth season (1979-2004) as the Redskins play-by-play announcer and gave this now legendary call.

“There’s the snap. Hand to Riggins. Good hole, he’s got the first down at the 40. He’s gone! The 35! The 30! The 20! HE’S GONE! HE’S GONE! TOUCHDOWN, WASHINGTON REDSKINS!!”

Just one week earlier, in the NFC Championship game at RFK, Washington led Dallas 24-17 in the final quarter. Dallas had the ball at their own 20.

“Play-action fake to Dorsett, hid the ball well. Set up a screen, batted in the air. Picked off by Darryl Grant! TOUCHDOWN, WASHINGTON REDSKINS! I Don’t believe it! Unbelievable! Oh, what a play! Dexter Manley tipped the pass! Darryl Grant got the interception, and NOW the stadium shakes!”

Chatting with Herzog last week, he relived the extraordinary moment. “What I have always remembered about that play was the crowd; how the noise increased and the stadium literally shook. So, that is what I said, “And NOW the stadium shakes.”

“Sam (Huff) grabbed my arm with a look of fear in his eyes, and we were wondering, ‘Is this thing (stadium/press box) going to collapse’?

In the 1987 NFC Championship game at RFK, the Redskins led the Vikings 17-10 but were holding on for dear life, as the Vikings had driven all the way to the Washington 6-yard line, where it was 4th & 4, 1:03 remaining.

“One down to the Super Bowl! From the six-yard line, it’s fourth down and four. Wilson takes the snap, looking left, throws it into the end zone – batted away! Incomplete! Redskins are going to the Super Bowl!”

The 1991 season saw Washington in Super Bowl XXVI against Buffalo. Washington led 24-10 with the ball at the Buffalo 30 in the third quarter.

“Back he (Rypien) goes, good protection again. He’s going deep, he’s got Clark in the end zone, Touchdown Washington Redskins!”

Broadcasting winning seasons is one thing. Being respected as a professional is another, and Herzog’s work certainly is praised.

Sonny Jurgensen, a broadcast partner of Herzog’s (1981-2004) has expressed over the years that because of Frank’s background as a reporter, “Frank made the work fun because of his preparation”.

Sam Huff, an aggressive, assertive linebacker in the NFL, was with Herzog for 25 years in the booth. He spoke of Frank as the professional of the trio. “He was the voice. You never over-talk the man with the microphone, and he was the man.”

John Feinstein recently expressed to me, “Frank was such a class act and so good at what he did. He was a homer without being a homer. What I mean by that is you knew he was pulling for Bullets/Redskins, but he never said, ‘we,’; never whined about officiating calls, and never made excuses…A pro’s pro and a really good guy.”

“Frank is the broadcaster of DC champions. He was glib and smart, the perfect setup man for Sonny and Sam. At Redskins Park, you would see him always with a smile. And humble. He never bragged about all of his championship rings. He’s a winner,” said Tom Friend.