NFL legend Floyd Little dies at 78

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“After nearly a year facing, even battling cancer, the beloved hero, brother, uncle, grandfather, father and husband, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Denver Bronco and Syracuse # 44 Legend, Floyd D. Little ran his last mile, bowed his head gracefully, and met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “according to a family statement released Saturday.

Little played his entire nine-year career in the NFL with the Broncos, having been selected sixth in the 1967 AFL-NFL draft. In Denver, he was nicknamed “The Franchise” and was elected team captain as a rookie.

Little rushed for more than 6,000 yards and scored 43 touchdowns for the Broncos. His best season was 1971, when he won the current NFL title with 1,133 yards while playing on a team that finished last in his division with a 4-9-1 record.

He made the Pro Bowl five times and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. In his inaugural Hall of Fame speech, he urged listeners to never give up on their dreams.
Floyd Little played for the Broncos in December 1971, the season he won the NFL title.

“Because of those who encouraged me in those early years, I’m here today. So I want to encourage you, every student, every athlete, every person who listens to my voice, who doesn’t listen to the evil one. of these, ”Little said. “Don’t listen to those who will judge you by your edges. Don’t focus on your weakness so that you don’t become a victim … Because the good you have is better than the worst of the majority. The choice is yours. Be the best you can be “.

Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, Little was three times American in Syracuse, an honor that led him to be consecrated to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

Both Syracuse University and the Denver Broncos have retired at number 44, Little’s number.

In May, it was revealed that Little had been battling neuroendocrine tumors, a rare cell cancer, and had metastasized, according to CNN affiliate KMGH. He died at his home in Henderson, Nevada.
In November, Little came into the hospice’s attention, according to a former Syracuse teammate Patrick Killorin, who posted on Facebook, according to CNN affiliate KCNC.
Floyd Little speaks during the break at an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos on September 26, 2010.
“Floyd Little was not only a Hall of Fame running, but he was a person of the Hall of Fame,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

“Faith, family and football were the pillars of his life. I was lucky enough to meet Floyd and witnessed first hand the impact he had on others. Whenever he represented the Broncos in the annual NFL draft, others immediately tried to greet him and his true enthusiasm for being with his teammates Legends and his pride and passion for the Broncos was unmistakable, ”Goodell said.

Little left behind his wife, two daughters, a son and several grandchildren, KMGH reported.

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