Floyd Little

Bio

Floyd Little was a three-time first-team All-America halfback for Syracuse. He stood 5-11, weighed 195-pounds, and was a 9.6 second, hundred yard sprinter in track. His longest runs were punt returns - in 1964, 90 yards against UCLA, 71 against Penn State; in 1965, 95 against Pittsburgh, 91 against Penn State. He scored five touchdowns against Kansas in 1964. In rushing, his best games were January 1, 1967, 216 yards in the Gator Bowl against Tennessee; in 1965, 196 against West Virginia; in 1966, 193 against Florida State. In 30 regular-season games he scored 46 touchdowns, averaged 5.4 yards a try on rushing plays, 20 yards on punt returns, 29 on kickoff returns. He caught 50 passes and threw one touchdown pass. Little played with the Denver Broncos 1967-75 and led the pros in rushing in 1971. He graduated majoring in history and religion. While playing professionally, he added a master's in judicial administration. He worked three years as an NBC broadcaster, then joined Ford Motor Co. and set up dealerships in Colorado and California. Little made his home in Denver and was involved in many charitable groups. In 1970, he was in a group of athletes who visited American troops in Vietnam. Among the many citations he received were these: 1973 Brian Piccolo Award, 1974 Whizzer White Award, 1979 Walter Camp Foundation Man of the Year, 1992 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. Floyd Little became a public speaker and often used this quote: "God gave you two ends. One to sit on, one to think with. Heads you win, tails you lose." Another: "I chose not to be a common man, because it is my right to be uncommon, if I can." He said of Syracuse University: "I liked it because they made you be a student first, an athlete second."

Career Highlights

• 1966 First Team All-America
• 1966 Heisman - Fifth
• 1966 Led nation in all-purpose yards
• 1965 First Team All-America
• 1965 Heisman - Fifth
• 1965 Led the nation in punt returns
• 1964 First Team All-America