Offensive lineman Kurt Huff views signing with the Bay Area Panthers as an opportunity to be an example of what's possible coming from Camden, New Jersey.

"Coming from a place that's called a bad town, I love when people like myself make it out and put our city on the map.  It's a beautiful thing and a blessing to show everyone from my city, even the little kids, that you can do this, too."

Head Coach and General Manager Darren Arbet sees a bright future for Huff:   "He's strong at the point of attack.  What also I like about him is that he can get to the second level."

Huff started for four seasons at Tennessee Tech and developed his game while coping with adversity.  Tech went 1-10 in his first year, at one point dropping eight straight games.  While disappointing, Huff can put what happened on the field in perspective.  His mother committed suicide after the first week of training camp.

"Just battling with that the entire season was tough.  She was Muslim so I had to put her body into the ground," said Huff. "Realizing that persevering through that, losing some games was not the worst thing I could face.  I had to duck my head everyday and grind.   At the end of the day, a losing record doesn't determine the kind of person or player I am.  With real life issues, football was my peace."

The personal loss was another layer of experience that toughened Huff for challenges on and off the field.

"What makes the players who come out of Camden different is that we definitely have the dog in us," said Huff.  "We've got a mindset to where nobody is going to tell me 'no'.   They're never going to say I can't do something.  I feel me coming from Camden, anything I put my mind to I will do it."

Arbet is a native of Stockton and can relate to someone driven to overcome disadvantages in order to be successful.

 "I'm excited to work with him.  He came out of a tough situation and is a great young man.  Kurt is trying to further his career and hopefully, I can help him. "

Huff had been praying for an opportunity and received an answer:  a call from Panthers' Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach Rob Keefe.  Huff was told he was a gem that had fallen through the cracks.

Heading into the NFL draft, Huff liked his chances after his pro day and workouts.  However, he was left in tears after going unselected and without free agent opportunities.  The Arizona Rattlers reached out last season but Huff wasn't emotionally ready to play in the IFL. 

He is now.

"The call from Coach Keefe lit the fire that really had never stopped burning.   I'm ready to come and work harder than anybody—ready to push the pocket and get my name out there again.  My goal is to get to the NFL."

Huff is the second player from Camden to sign with the Panthers, following defensive lineman Jamal Holloway.

"That's my dog, my right hand man," said Huff.  "We grew up together; played basketball and football together at the same high school.  We've known each other since we were little kids.  He's like a brother to me."

Huff envisions playing center but can play all three spots on the line.  He's as man on a mission to prove the critics wrong who say he's undersized at 6'1" and 295 pounds.

"No man will be off the snap count as fast as I am and I will bring a lot of technique to the game from a lower leverage," said Huff.  "I bring that dog mentality.  I don't care who you are or how much you weigh.  If you're the top dog, I want to line up with you on every play because I want to show you that hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."   

The Bay Area Panthers 2023 home games, with dates and matchups, are listed below

Sunday, March 26, 5:05 PM v. Arizona Rattlers
Sunday, April 16, 5:05 PM v. Tucson Sugar Skulls
Sunday, April 23, 5:05 PM v.  Northern Arizona Wranglers
Monday, May 8, 7:05 PM v. Vegas Knight Hawks
Saturday, May 20, 6:05 PM v. Frisco Fighters
Saturday, June 3, 6:05 PM v. Duke City Gladiators
Monday, July 10, 7:06 PM v. San Diego Strike Force

Season tickets for the Bay Area Panthers 2023 season are on sale NOW