Huff was heavily recruited from Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, Massachusetts where he spent a post graduate year after Coronado High School outside of San Diego, California. Initially a defensive tackle until UNC Coach Bill Dooley switched him to guard in his second day of practice, he immediately became a starter on the offensive line. As a sophomore, he helped lead the University of North Carolina to an 11-1 Atlantic Coast Conference championship. He played in the 1972 and 1974 Sun Bowls, Hula Bowl, and Senior Bowl in 1975. In his senior season, he was the leader of an offensive line that produced two 1,000 yard backs and helped Carolina set a school total offense record. He was chosen first Team All-ACC and Consensus All-American in 1974 including Playboy’s Pre-Season All-American pick. Huff came in second to Randy White for the Outland Trophy Award, won the Jacobs Trophy as the leagues best blocker, Jim Tatum Medal and was a two time recipient of the Bill Arnold Award as UNC’s top lineman. He was also named Captain of the College All-Stars in their game against the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. His number was retired at his high school alma mater and at UNC where his college jersey is hanging on the University’s Honored Jersey section of Kenan Memorial Stadium.
Professional career[]
Huff was the third overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. The Colts went from being the last placed team in 1974 with a 2-12 record to a contender with a 10-4 record in Huff’s first year. They continued their run and made the play-offs for the next three years. In 1983 he was traded to the Washington Redskins and became a member of the famed “Hogs” offensive line along with Mark May, Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby, Jeff Bostic and George Starke. He played in Super Bowl XVIII where the Redskins were defeated by the Oakland Raiders. Huff retired in 1986 after 11 years and a career 145 games in the NFL.
Post NFL Career[]
In May 2008, Huff was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Currently Huff is the owner of an award winning, custom home building company in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is involved with numerous UNC and NFL related charity organizations as well as doing Public Service Announcements for Hope For The Warriors.
Received the Walter Camp Foundation Alumni of the Year for 2013.
References[]
↑North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Ken Huff, accessed September 14, 2011.
