Selected in the 3rd round of the 56 Draft by the New York Giants.
Moved to middle linebacker in Tom Landry‘s 4-3 alignment.
Became starter during rookie season and started every game until traded to Washington Redskins after the 63 season.
Prototypical middle linebacker, who could read plays, disrupt running lanes or drop off into coverage and score interceptions, while also being a bone crushing tackler.
Played 13 seasons in the NFL, starting 159 games and logging 30 interceptions.
Worked with Redskins great Sonny Jurgensen in the broadcasting booth until he retired in 2012.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame 1982
Pro Football Hall of Fame 1982
Pro Bowl 1958-61, 64
All Pro 1958-59
Second Team All Pro 1957,60-61, 63
West Virginia Mountaineers #75 retired
New York Giants Ring of Honor
Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
NFL 50s All-Decade Team
First NFL player to appear on the Cover of Time magazine
Appeared in a TV special called: “The Violent World of Sam Huff”
#76 Sporting News Greatest NFL Players
NOTES:
I was shocked to get a certified Sam Huff for so cheap during the pandemic, but as it stood it was much more affordable to get a few autographed Upper Deck Legends for my set, than to get a blaster box of Panini, that’d probably have an autograph of a street free agent.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/A
N/A
17
30
381
12.7
2
39
EPITAPH:
11/13/21- Sam Huff passed away at the age of 87. He had been diagnosed with dementia in 2012, however it is unknown if it ultimately played a role in his passing.
NOTES: I had been circling to come back to Bill after I got his autograph on a few cards via a trade a few years ago. The primary reason was to get him on his Upper Deck Legends card from a beautiful action shot of when he played for the Eagles.
The Topps 1978 played a different role however. I selected this card primarily because Bill and my father (who passed away in 2019) looked so much alike, even down to the bushy red brown 70s beard.
Incredible speedster and track man at Northwestern State.
Second round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 82.
Saw little action his rookie season partially due to the NFL strike.
Posted first 1000 yard season following year on 51 catches, scoring 10 TDs.
Had a career high 71 receptions in 1984 to go along with 1306 yards receiving.
Had a career high in receiving yards (1313) and TDs (11) in 1986.
Cracked the 1000 yard plateau one final time in 1991 with 1085 yards.
After being cut following the 92 season, Mark played one final season in 1994 for the Miami Hooters of the Arena Football League.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1983
Pro Bowl 1984
Pro Bowl 1986
All- Pro 1983
All-Pro 1984
League’s longest reception from scrimmage 1986 (85 yards)
Dolphins Honor Roll 2003
At the time of his retirement was the Dolphins all-time receiving yardage leader at 8,869 yards.
2005 N-Club Hall of Fame (Northwestern State University)
NOTES:
Duper along with WR Mark Clayton formed the famous ‘Marks Brothers’ that gave opposing defenses fits. Duper was well known for wearing the single bar helmet throughout his career. He was diagnosed with CTE in 2013.
Mark only recently started signing through the mail, so I went ahead and picked up his certified via EBay back in 2020. Later when I saw successes flood in with a donation in early 2022, I launched out these two other cards.
NFL
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
511
8869
17.4
59
85t
ARENA
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
8
93
11.6
1
N/a
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
