NFL legend Floyd Little dies at 78

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“After nearly a year of fighting, 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 the last kilometer, he bowed his head gracefully and met the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ “, according to a statement from the family published on Saturday.

Little spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the Broncos, being ranked sixth in the 1967 AFL-NFL draft. In Denver, he was nicknamed the “Franchise” and was named team captain as a rookie.

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

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

“Because of those who encouraged me in those early years, I am here today. So, I want to encourage you, every student, every athlete, every person who will hear my voice, don’t listen to the nayayer. I’ve had enough of these, “Little said.” Don’t listen to those who will judge you for your harsh edges. Don’t focus on your weakness so that you don’t become a victim … Because the good in you is better than the worst in most. The choice is yours. Be the best you can be. “

Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, Little was a three-time All-American at Syracuse, an honor that earned him a reputation in the college’s famous 1983 football hall.

Both Syracuse University and Denver Broncos dropped to 44th place, Little’s number.

In May, Little was revealed to be battling neuroendocrine tumors, a rare cell cancer, and to have metastasized, according to CNN affiliate KMGH. He died at his home in Henderson, Nevada.
In November, Little entered the care of a hospice, according to a former teammate from Syracuse, Patrick Killorin, who posted on Facebook, according to the CNN affiliate KCNC.
Floyd Little speaks at the break of an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos on September 26, 2010.
“Floyd Little was not just a Hall of Fame going back, 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 so lucky to meet Floyd and witnessed directly the impact he had on others. Whenever he represented the Broncos at the annual NFL draft, others immediately sought to greet him and his genuine enthusiasm to be with his Legends colleagues and his pride and passion for the Broncos were unmistakable, “Goodell said.

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

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