Former Denver Broncos runner Floyd Little died Friday at the age of 78, according to his family.
“After nearly a year of confronting, 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, gracefully bowed his head, and met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” according to a family statement released Saturday.
#BroncosCountry
Little played all of his nine-year NFL career with the Broncos, having been ranked sixth in the 1967 AFL-NFL. In Denver, he was given the nickname, “The Franchise” and was selected as the team captain as a rookie.
“Floyd Little put #BroncosCountry on the map,” the group said on Twitter.
Slowly he ran over 6,000 yards and scored 43 Broncos touchdowns.
His best season was 1971 when he won the fast-paced NFL title by 1,133 yards while playing for a team that finished last in its category with a record 4-9-1.
Hall Of fame 2010
He slowly made the Pro Bowl five times and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
In his inaugural address to the Hall of Fame, he urged the audience not to give up on their dreams.
“Thanks to those who encouraged me in those early years, I’m here today. So, I want to encourage you, every student, every athlete, everyone who will listen to my voice, don’t listen to your opponent. I had a lot of those,” Little said. “Don’t listen to those who will judge you on your hard sides. Don’t focus on your weaknesses so that you don’t fall victim … Because the good in you is better than the worst. The choice is yours. Be the best you can be.”
In May, it was revealed that Little had been battling neuroendocrine tissue, a rare cellular cancer, and had already been treated, according to CNGH affiliated with CNN.
In November, Little entered hospice care, according to former Syrian team partner Patrick Killorin, who posted it on Facebook, according to KCNC affiliated with CNN.
He died at his home in Henderson, Nevada.
Tributes And Reactions
From New Haven, Connecticut, Little was a three-time All-American in Syrause, a fame that led to his enrollment in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Both Syracuse University and the Denver Broncos have retired No. 44, Little’s playing number.
President-elect Joe Biden, who attended Syracuse with Little, said in a statement that he will “miss my friend.”
“I got to know Floyd as the man behind the number. He was full of character, decency, and integrity. He was always gracious with his time with fans — parents and grandparents who wanted to introduce their children and grandchildren to a genuine role model,” Biden recalled.
“We’d call each other after Syracuse games and to check in on one another. I remember our call when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the joy in his voice. And I remember the more recent call when he shared his cancer diagnosis, and how fearless he was in his conviction to fight it. As with everything else he did in life, Floyd lived to the very end with grit and heart, and love for his family and faith in God.”
“Floyd Little was not only a Hall of Fame running back, he was a Hall of Fame person,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
“Faith, family and football were the lifeblood of his life. I was very fortunate to know Floyd and to see for myself the influence he had on others. .
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son and a few grandchildren, reports KMGH.
