Tough Stuff: The Man in the Middle

From his youth in West Virginia to his football career with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins and a place of honor in the Hall of Fame, chronicles his life on the football field

Huff played with the New York Giants when they were the kings of the NFL in the 1950s and '60s. The future Hall of Famer was coached by Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry, and among his teammates were Frank Gifford, Pat Summerall, Rosey Grier and Y. A. Tittle, all of whom play major roles in this fine autobiography, written with Washington Post sports editor Shapiro. Huff, who came from an impoverished background in the coal-mining region of West Virginia, stresses that he had special motivation to be a successful athletehe dreaded going back to work in the mines. The book covers not only his college career and his playing years in New York but also his trade to Washington, which Huff notes still shocks him, and his time with the Redskins, reunited with a dying Lombardi, and in the broadcast booth. Photos not seen by PW. 20,000 first printing; $20,000 ad/promo.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Pro football's first modern superstar has written a no-holds-barred memoir, telling of his beginnings in West Virginia mining country but concentrating on his days as a New York Giant and a Washington Redskin. The former middle linebacker takes on owner Wellington Mara, who traded Huff after assuring him he was part of the family; coach Allie Sherman, whom he credits with destroying the Giants team because of his own ego; and coach Otto Graham who, he contends, was inept. Huff also details life in the NFL before players earned megabucks and gives an affectionate portrait of Vince Lombardi's last year as coach of the Redskins. One error: in 1967 it was Joe Namath, not Sonny Jurgenson, who passed for over 4000 yards. Jo DeLapo, Queens Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.